Latest news with #AncientEgyptian
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Six Scottish indoor summer weekend days out for the whole family as rain forecast
From water parks to science centres and museums. This summer in Scotland has been very unpredictable so far. The country has seen both scorching temperatures and heavy showers in recent weeks. Unfortunately, as reported by the Daily Record, more wet weather is on the way over the coming days. However, rain shouldn't stop you from making the most of summer. Most popular activities over the warmer months involve soaking up some sun. However, there is still plenty of fun to be had indoors for all ages. The Daily Record has rounded up six days out in Scotland perfect for rainy weather. We have included everything from water parks and science centres for young ones to an iconic whisky distillery perfect for parents. 1. The Time Capsule, Coatbridge The beloved indoor water park The Time Capsule is set to finally reopen on July 19 after closing back in March for essential upgrade works. According to North Lanarkshire Council, the renovations are the "most significant upgrade" to The Time Capsule in more than 30 years. Among the additions to the park are colour-changing underwater lights and brand new pumps and blowers to enhance its waterfalls. Other improvements include new soft rubber flooring and updated showers. More information can be found on the . 2. Deep Sea World, North Queensferry Deep Sea World is an aquarium situated in the village of North Queensferry, a short drive out of Edinburgh. Among the attraction's standout features is its underwater moving walkway, which holds the record as the longest in Europe. Meanwhile, Deep Sea World is home to countless fish, shark, amphibian, and invertebrate species. Visitors will be able to spot tiger sharks, pufferfish, stingrays, clown fish, and much more. More information can be found on the Deep Sea World website. 3. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh There is a reason why the National Museum of Scotland is one of the UK's most popular attractions outside of London. The free museum is jam-packed with incredible interactive exhibits that cover everything from dinosaurs to fashion. One of the top exhibits at the National Museum of Scotland is Dolly the Sheep, who was the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. Elsewhere, other highlights of the museum include the mysterious Arthur's Seat Coffins and the Ancient Egyptian exhibitions. More information can be found on the National Museum of Scotland website. 4. Talisker Distillery, Isle of Skye Talisker is one of Scotland's most iconic distilleries, and a fascinating visitor attraction in its own right. If you are a whisky lover, there is no better time than a rainy afternoon to head on a distillery tour led by a knowledgeable expert. Talisker's classic tour is an hour in length, and takes guests through its history, flavour, and production processes. It ends with three dram tastings for the adults of the distillery's award-winning single malts. More information can be found on the Talisker Distillery website. 5. The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels Tucked away in the Borders town of Galashiels is one of Scotland's most unique attractions—and one of the biggest community arts projects in the world. The Great Tapestry of Scotland was hand-stitched by approximately 1,000 people across the country, and is made up of 300 miles of wool. The tapestry itself details the history of Scotland, from its formation millions of years ago right up to the present day. The building also houses a gift shop and a café, as well as a gallery for other visiting exhibits. More information can be found on The Great Tapestry of Scotland website. 6. Aberdeen Science Centre, Aberdeen Aberdeen Science Centre offers the perfect day out for visitors both young and old. In total, there are more than 65 interactive exhibits to check out—detailing how science shapes our world. One standout of the Aberdeen Science Centre is RoboThespian, who is a friendly and knowledgeable robot. Another is the OPITO Theatre of Energy, which provides visitors with three entertaining and educational immersive experiences.
Metro
03-07-2025
- Science
- Metro
How one skeleton upended how historians view Ancient Egypt
A skeleton found in a 4,500-year-old ceramic pot has rewritten the history of Ancient Egypt. A DNA test on the man's bones has upended how historians could view the rise of Ancient Egyptian civilisation. The skeleton, found 165 miles south of Cairo at Nuwayrat, belongs to a 60-year-old potter who lived between 2855–2570 BC. However, researchers have revealed that a fifth of his DNA came from ancestors living 9,000 miles away in Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq. It is the first direct evidence that the two legendary cultures influenced each other through migration as far back as 10,000 years ago. Mesopotamia is the site of the earliest developments of the Neolithic Revolution from around 10,000 BC, when people began to farm and domesticate animals. This led to the formation of an agricultural society. Egyptologists had theorised that this revolution contributed to similar development in Egypt, with this DNA now proving their case. This is because it shows migration from West Asia towards Egypt, meaning information could have been passed on when migrants arrived at the Nile. This new information could explain how Egypt went from simple farming communities to becoming one of the most powerful civilisations on Earth. Adeline Morez Jacobs, who analysed the remains as part of her PhD at Liverpool John Moores University, told BBC News: 'You have two regions developing the first writing systems, so archaeologists believe that they were in contact and exchanging ideas. Now we have the evidence that they were. 'We hope that future DNA samples from Ancient Egypt can expand on when precisely this movement from West Asia started and its extent.' While researchers did caution that this study only considered the case of one man, who could have been an anomaly due to his high-status burial, they say their findings support other evidence that Mesopotamian culture had reached Egypt, likely through migration. Egypt specialists have unearthed a lot more information about this Egyptian potter than just his migrant heritage. Despite his job, his body was placed in a large pot inside a rock-cut tomb, usually reserved for the Egyptian upper class. This burial, which took place before mummification was the norm, likely helped preserve his DNA, which was taken from bone in his inner ear. He is predicted to have had brown eyes, brown hair and dark to black skin and was 5ft 2in (1.57m). The Nuwayrat man also lived to an advanced old age, with his worn teeth and osteoarthritis indicating he could have died as late as 64 years. Experts believe certain skeletal features point to his work as a potter, including an enlarged hook-shaped bone at the back of his skull, meaning he looked down a lot. Professor Joel Irish at Liverpool John Moores University said: 'He worked his tail off. He's worked his entire life. 'What I wanted to do was to find out who this guy was, learn as much about him as possible. What his age was, his stature was, what he did for a living and to try and personalise the whole thing rather than treat him as a cold specimen.' More Trending The Nuwayrat man's life also coincided with the beginning of the legendary Old Kingdom in Egypt's history, which witnessed the building of the 'Great Pyramid of Giza' by King Khufu. The ability of scientists to extract and read DNA from ancient bones could trigger a wave of discoveries about Ancient Egypt. Prof Pontus Skoglund at the Francis Crick Institute explained: 'If we get more DNA information and put it side by side with what we know from archaeological, cultural, and written information we have from the time, it will be very exciting.' It also allows experts to look at history from the perspective of ordinary people, through written records from rich and powerful people. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man stabbed through armour during historic re-enactment gone wrong MORE: Cabin crew calls on passengers to subdue air rage woman demanding upgrade MORE: Moment cargo ship crashes into Suez Canal port as workers flee
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Everything we've learnt from first DNA of ancient Egyptian
The first complete DNA study of an Ancient Egyptian has revealed he was probably a celebrated potter who was given an oddly luxurious burial. The skeleton of a middle-aged man, who lived between 4,500 and 4,800 years ago, was found crammed into a ceramic pot in a tomb cut into the hillside at Nuwayrat, around 165 miles south of Cairo. He lived during the Fourth Dynasty, an important time when the first and greatest pyramids were constructed, under the reign of pharaohs such as Khufu and Khafre. Until now it has been difficult to sequence DNA in Ancient Egyptians because the mummification process destroys the delicate molecule. However, the man's burial took place before mummification became standard practice in Egypt and his body was instead preserved by the warm and dry conditions of the desert. This allowed British experts from the Francis Crick Institute and Liverpool John Moores University to extract DNA from a tooth root. The remains showed severe signs of arthritis and suggested he had spent many years sitting on a hard surface with his arms and legs outstretched and his head bent over. Joel Irish, professor of dental anthropology and archaeology at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) said: 'Though circumstantial, these clues point towards pottery, including use of a pottery wheel, which arrived in Egypt around the same time. 'That said, his higher-class burial is not expected for a potter, who would not normally receive such treatment. 'He was in an upper class burial. Someone went to all the work to put him in a rock cut tomb and he was in this large pottery vessel. That is at odds with the fact he had an incredibly hard physical life. 'Perhaps he was exceptionally skilled or successful enough to advance his social status.' The man's DNA showed that most of his ancestry came from North Africa, but around 20 per cent was related to ancient individuals from the Fertile Crescent – an area of West Asia encompassing modern-day countries such as Iraq, Iran and Jordan. While archaeological evidence has shown that trade and cultural connections existed between Egypt and the Fertile Crescent, this is the first evidence that populations were also interbreeding. Researchers have speculated that the man may have been one of the first to use a pottery wheel, which was invented in Mesopotamia and then brought to Egypt by the Fourth Dynasty. Before that pots were made with the coiled method, so it is possible his high status at death was linked to his ability to use the new technology. His skeleton was excavated in 1902 and donated to World Museum Liverpool, where it later survived bombings during the Blitz that destroyed most of the museum's human remains collection. Linus Girdland Flink, a lecturer in ancient biomolecules at the University of Aberdeen and visiting researcher at LJMU said: 'This individual has been on an extraordinary journey. He lived and died during a critical period of change in ancient Egypt. 'We've now been able to tell part of the individual's story, finding that some of his ancestry came from the Fertile Crescent, highlighting the mixture between groups at this time.' Adeline Morez Jacobs, visiting research fellow at LJMU, added: 'This finding was quite interesting because we know from archaeology that Egyptian and fertile crescent culture influenced each other for millennia. Farming practices and precious goods were shared and the first writing system emerged almost contemporaneously influenced by each other. 'Piecing together all the clues from this individual's DNA, bones and teeth have allowed us to build a comprehensive picture.' The research was published in the journal Nature. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Horrifying' 5,000-year-old manuscript found in Egyptian tomb predicts future
The 5,000-year-old manuscript was discovered in an Egyptian tomb and is believed to hold knowledge about the origins of humanity and potentially serve as a prophecy A 5000 year old manuscript discovered in an Egyptian tomb is filled with enigmatic messages, leading scholars to believe the ancient civilisation was predicting catastrophic events that could end civilisation and speculating about the cosmic significance of the universe. The book, which is allegedly connected to the mythical Book of Enoch, contains supposed knowledge about the origins of humanity and information that could serve as a prophecy, according to Medium. Archaeologists found the manuscript sealed within a deep Egyptian tomb, with workers coming across the manuscript near the historic burial grounds in Saqqara during an archaeological excavation. However, experts regard it as a significant breakthrough in archaeology containing a deeply disturbing message. The artefact predates major Egyptian dynasties and features both hieratic and early hieroglyphic writing, puzzling experts in the field. The specialised symbols in this ancient document are proving difficult for modern-day scientists to decipher. However, researchers are confident the writings contain at least one terrifying truth. This is the assertion that humans are at the mercy of hidden cosmic powers guiding them through an inevitable cycle of fate, reports the Mirror US. The text warns that dishonourable people may face a grim fate beyond death and their eternal rest could be anything but peaceful. It also claims that every human action plays a role in determining our destiny. The sensational find, complete with ancient Egyptian artefacts like the haunting skulls of mummified corpses and enigmatic energy patterns, has left modern-day scholars transfixed – especially by the "screaming mummy" with its terrifying visage. This revelation could unlock secrets of how Ancient Egyptian societies functioned and crucial human survival tactics. Full of cautionary tales about bygone calamities, the book bristles with hidden symbology and secret missives warning of impending doom should historical trends continue unchecked. As per the manuscript, we're on course to emulate dictating cycles foretold by the Ancient Egyptians, experts in cosmic understanding – a stark alert against neglecting such wisdom. These ancestral admonitions resonate through the ages, imploring us to break free from our self-destructive ways or face dire consequences. Our species seems doomed to replicate errors that could spell our undoing, all flagged within this ancient script. By turning a blind eye, history may well repeat itself to devastating effect. Meanwhile, research into this groundbreaking find forges ahead, with advanced technology like state-of-the-art imaging and AI translation unveiling fresh clues that could offer unprecedented glimpses into this enigmatic document. The discovery of new data could completely change our understanding of prehistoric human societies, including their religious and philosophical beliefs. Any discovered manuscripts related to this subject could reveal hidden knowledge, potentially leading to significant changes in our understanding of history.
Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Hidden city' from Book of the Dead found beneath Egypt's Giza pyramids
Team of Italian researchers claim to have unearthed evidence of a hidden structure dating back tens of thousands of years Scientists have made a 'groundbreaking' discovery of an underground city beneath Egypt's iconic Giza pyramids, potentially rewriting the history books. Italian researchers Corrado Malanga, Filippo Biondi, and Armando Mei claim they've found evidence of a hidden structure around 2,000 feet below the surface, suggesting a vast subterranean complex linking the pyramids through a network that could be tens of thousands of years old. They discovered 'vertical cylinders' with chambers, pipes, and a water system leading to cube-shaped structures, after recently detecting massive underground structures under the Khafre pyramid, stirring controversy in the archaeological community. However, renowned archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass has dismissed the initial claims, citing limitations in ground-penetrating radar technology and a lack of peer-reviewed evidence, with many experts calling the findings speculative, reports the Mirror US. Dr Hawass said: "All this information is completely wrong and has absolutely no scientific basis." Despite scepticism, the research team insists their findings are legitimate, supporting theories of an advanced civilisation possibly wiped out by a cataclysmic event mentioned in various Egyptian texts, including the Book of the Dead. The lost city could potentially house 'the fabled Hall of Records', a long-speculated library that could reveal new insights into Ancient Egyptian society and mysteries such as Atlantis. Traditional beliefs hold that the Giza pyramids, thought to be 4,500 years old, were built solely by the ancient Egyptians. However, the discovery of an 'underground network' suggests they could date back 38,000 years, surviving a cataclysmic event that wiped out many past civilisations. If these claims are confirmed, it would revolutionise our understanding of human history and the origins of Egypt's most iconic structures. Yet, this discovery has sparked as much curiosity and enthusiasm as it has doubt within the archaeological community. This is another significant discovery in Egypt, following finds like the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II and a 3,400 year old New Kingdom settlement. More secrets from the ancient world are gradually emerging, reshaping the rich and complex history of one of humanity's greatest marvels.
