Latest news with #MiddleBronzeAge
Scientific American
25-06-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
A Sodom and Gomorrah Story Shows Scientific Facts Aren't Settled by Public Opinion
In 2021 a multidisciplinary team of researchers claimed that a Tunguska-sized airburst, larger than any such airburst in human history, destroyed a Bronze Age city near the Dead Sea. The story went viral. This alleged destruction of Tall el-Hammam around 1650 BCE, with reports of melted pottery and mudbricks, pointed to the Bible, the team concluded in Scientific Reports, noting 'what could be construed as the destruction of a city by an airburst/impact event.' News outlets from Smithsonian to the Times in Britain covered the report. It had all the ingredients—with authors touting its connection to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah—to make it pure clickbait gold. On the day it was published, one of the co-authors posted links on his blog to their three press releases. A week later he asserted that it was 'the most read scientific paper on Earth' based on 250,000 article accesses. Science, however, is not a popularity contest, and the 'cosmic outburst' story indeed holds a different lesson than the one first supposed, about how the public should hear incredible claims. In April, just before the study passed the 666,000 mark, Scientific Reports retracted the finding, writing that 'claims that an airburst event destroyed the Middle Bronze Age city of Tall el-Hammam appear to not be sufficiently supported by the data in the Article,' and that 'the Editors no longer have confidence that the conclusions presented are reliable.' Independent scientists (I was one of them) had alerted them to faulty methodology, errors of fact and inappropriate manipulation of digital image data. One study co-author responded to the retraction in an online post with claims that the editor had caved to harassment by skeptics, concluding that the 'court of public opinion is much more powerful than a shadowy hatchetman spamming a corrupt editor's inbox.' On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Public opinion does influence policy decisions and funding priorities in science. People are interested in new medical cures and new starry discoveries, which helps explain why we have a NASA and an NIH. That's why it is important for the public to be scientifically literate and well informed. But scientific facts are determined by the scientific method, logic and evidence, all presented in peer-reviewed publications that require reproducible results. Scientists don't vote on findings, but they do achieve consensus by convergence on understandings based on multiple studies across many fields. The Sodom airburst paper instead represented the nadir of 'science by press release,' in which sensational but thinly supported claims were pitched directly to the media and the public. Press releases, rife with references to Sodom and biblical implications, appeared to be focused as much on titillation as on science. A meme, in its original definition, is a self-propagating unit of cultural information that is highly fit in the evolutionary sense. Like genes, memes can be engineered. Science by press release can be an effective first step in the creation and laundering of such memes into the public's collective consciousness. The authors of the Sodom airburst paper did this well. Their press releases were quickly picked up and repeated by both online clickbait media and mainstream media. The Sodom airburst meme was so successful that it achieved pop culture status and public acceptance within a year of the paper's publication, in this ' Final Jeopardy! ' question: 'A 2021 study suggested that an asteroid that struck the Jordan Valley c. 1650 B.C, gave rise to the story of this city in Genesis 19.' (Winning answer: 'What is Sodom?') I am under no illusion that this myth will suddenly be rejected by the public just because the paper was retracted. It is a sticky and compelling idea that has been around since it was suggested by astronomer Gerald Hawkins in 1961. I think it is far more likely that it will join the large and growing pantheon of persistent false beliefs, folk facts and urban legends. Contrary to that bastion of error, scientists know that humans use more than 10 percent of their brains, vaccines don't cause autism, 'detox diets' don't cleanse our bodies, toads don't give us warts, and bulls don't hate the color red. Many of those myths are harmless. It won't hurt you to avoid kissing toads, for example. Belief in other scientifically incorrect claims can be extremely dangerous. Avoid vaccinating your children, and you subject them to the risk of serious illness or death. What would it hurt if most people thought that God sent an asteroid to wipe out the people of Sodom, because of their wicked ways? That could go either way. The Old Testament, in Ezekial 16:49-50, says that they were punished because they were 'arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.' Would it be a bad thing if fear of an asteroid makes us better people? But it could also generate opposition to planetary defense programs to plan for and prevent the impact of an asteroid if we discover one on a collision course. If the majority of people think it's God's will and that we've got it coming, then why shouldn't we just accept our fate? Ultimately, science-informed choices are always the best ones, whether they involve personal decisions about vaccination or public policies for climate change mitigation. When faith inspires people to better themselves, I'm all for that, too. It shouldn't take irrational and unscientific fear of fire and brimstone from an asteroid airburst to make us want to be more humble, kind and generous than the people of Sodom supposedly were.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
3,500-year-old grave reveals: change in Bronze Age history around 1500 BC in Central Europe
Source: ScienceDaily The multidisciplinary research, based on the Bronze Age cemetery excavated at Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, which was used in both the Middle Bronze Age (Füzesabony culture) and the Late Bronze Age (Tumulus culture), allowed researchers to compare the subsistence strategies before and after the change of era. The bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom reveals new insights into an important period in Central European history. Bronze Age life changed radically around 1500 BC in Central Europe. New research reveals that diets narrowed, millet was introduced, migration slowed, and social systems became looser, challenging old ideas about the nomadic Tumulus culture herders. Scientists discover how bronze age people lived, ate, and moved around 1500 BC According to Science Daily, an international research team—led by Tamás Hajdu, associate professor at the Department of Anthropology at ELTE, and Claudio Cavazzuti, senior assistant professor at the University of Bologna—has shown that around 1500 BC, radical changes occurred in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized. The research, supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office, examined whether the archaeologically observed settlement changes around 1500 BC indicated a lifestyle change—whether people began to follow a way of life based on animal husbandry and frequent migration instead of settled farming. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 180k traders turn to IC Markets for optimum CFD trading conditions IC Markets Sign Up Undo The team also sought to answer whether the spread of the Tumulus culture meant the arrival of new groups, or whether the local population continued their lives with only the material culture changing. Outcomes of the archaeological results Diet Changed: Scientists studied ancient bones and found that during the Middle Bronze Age, people ate a wider variety of foods, and some had better access to meat and animal products than others. This showed a clear difference between rich and poor. But in the Late Bronze Age, diets became more uniform but poorer. Most people ate similar things—mainly plant-based—and animal protein became less common in their meals. Broomcorn Millet Was Introduced: Researchers found evidence that broomcorn millet, a fast-growing, energy-rich grain, started being eaten around the start of the Late Bronze Age. The cemetery at Tiszafüred shows the earliest known use of millet in Europe. This grain probably helped communities feed themselves more reliably, even if their diet became simpler. Mobility Decreased: People traveled and moved around less. By looking at the chemicals in people's teeth and bones, scientists discovered that fewer people moved into the area during the Late Bronze Age compared to earlier times. In the Middle Bronze Age, some people living in Tiszafüred had come from nearby regions like the Upper Tisza area or the Carpathian Mountains. But in the Late Bronze Age, most people were locals, and those who did move in likely came from farther away, such as Transdanubia or the Southern Carpathians. Social Relations Changed: Society became less structured. At the beginning of the Late Bronze Age, the long-used tell settlements were abandoned, and people lived in less centralized settlement networks. This change created a looser, less organized social system, which is also reflected in dietary habits. According to microremains found in dental calculi and the aforementioned isotopic analyses, significantly less animal protein was consumed during this period than before. This contradicts the earlier idea that people belonging to the Tumulus culture were mainly engaged in animal husbandry Also read | Rare birds return on restored wetland at Wicket Fen
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Millets are no modern fad: Bronze Age humans consumed this gluten-free grain, here's why
Scientists dig up how diet changed and transformed society during the Bronze Age. People these days are swapping wheat with a more nutritious grain - millet. But this isn't just another modern health trend. Millets have been a staple in the diet for centuries. A recent study has found that millet was already revolutionizing diets as far as the Bronze Age. People from the Tumulus culture, the ones who lived in Central Europe during the Middle Bronze Age, were believed to be mostly pastoralists. However, a recent study has challenged this long-held belief and given insight into the shifts seen around 1500 BC, including lifestyle changes in Central European history. The findings of the bioarchaeological investigation of the Bronze Age cemetery of Tiszafüred-Majoroshalom, led by an international research team, are published in the journal Scientific Reports . Around 1500 BC, there were radical changes in people's lives: they ate and lived differently, and the social system was also reorganized. How diet changed Nitrogen isotope studies show that during the Middle Bronze Age, people had a more diverse diet, and social differences were clear, especially in who had access to animal protein. By the Late Bronze Age, these differences faded, and diets became more uniform but less nutritious. Broomcorn millet was introduced The carbon isotope analyses found that people consumed millet. As the plant can be grown quickly and has a high energy content, it became quite a popular option towards the beginning of the Late Bronze Age. Yes, that's right. Millets are no modern trend; they have been part of our diets for centuries. The data from the Tiszafüred Bronze Age cemetery indicate the earliest known consumption of millet in Europe. Stay ready with these 7 essential medical gadgets as COVID cases rise Nutritional value of millets Millets have numerous health benefits. Grown in India, Nigeria, and other Asian and African countries, the small round grains are gluten-free and have high amounts of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. One cup (174 grams) of cooked millet contains: Calories: 207 Carbs: 41 grams Fiber: 2.2 grams Protein: 6 grams Fat: 1.7 grams Phosphorus: 25% of the Daily Value (DV) Magnesium: 19% of the DV Folate: 8% of the DV Iron: 6% of the DV How diet changed social relations Social relationships changed during the Late Bronze Age. People stopped living in long-established, tightly organized tell-settlements and instead lived in smaller, more spread-out communities. This shift led to a looser and less structured social system, which also showed up in their diets. The analysis of the teeth and isotope tests revealed that people ate much less animal protein than before. This goes against the earlier belief that the Tumulus culture mainly focused on animal husbandry. Millets are today opted for their nutritional value and also as a gluten-free option, especially for those with gluten intolerance. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Euronews
04-04-2025
- General
- Euronews
Toddler finds stone which turns out to be 3,800-year-old artifact with Biblical background
ADVERTISEMENT During a recent family outing to Tel Azekah in Israel, 3-year-old Ziv Nitzan strolled along a path with her family. She picked up a stone which turned out to be an ancient scarab amulet dating back 3,800 years. 'Out of the 7,000 stones around her, she picked up one stone. Then she brushed off the sand and saw that something was different about it," Omer Nitzan, Ziv's older sister, said in a translated video. 'When she rubbed it and removed sand from it, we saw that something was different about it,' continued Omer. 'I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone and we realised we'd discovered an archaeological find!' Tel Azekah, where the toddler unearthed the artifact, is a well-known archaeological site in Israel's Shephelah area where excavations have taken place for about 15 years. And if Azekah sounds familiar, your Bible studies do you justice: it features in David and Goliath from the First Book of Samuel. They then 'immediately reported this' to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), who subsequently shared on Facebook that the young Ziv had indeed come across an important item. Canaanite scarab found at Tel Azekah Israel Antiquities Authority Daphna Ben-Tor, a specialist in ancient amulets and seals, revealed the significance behind the item: it is a Canaanite scarab dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. She explained that Canaanite scarabs were used as seals and amulets, found in 'graves, in public buildings and in private homes.' Sometimes, they bear 'symbols and messages that reflect religious beliefs or status,' she added. Scarab beetles, as Ben-Tor noted, held sacred status in ancient Egypt, symbolizing new life – as the Egyptian word for scarab comes from the verb meaning 'to come into being.' As such, ancient Egyptians viewed the scarab as a symbol of the incarnation of god. Tel Azekah Israel Antiquities Authority Archaeologists have found numerous artefacts in Tel Azekah, including ancient city walls and agricultural structures from the Judahite Kingdom. 'Excavation findings show that during the Middle Bronze and Late Bronze Ages, here in Tel Azekah thrived one of the most important cities in the Judean lowlands,' said Oded Lipschits, director of the Tel Aviv University archaeological dig. 'The scarab found by Ziv joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered here, which attest to the close ties and cultural influences between Canaan and Egypt during that period.' For her efforts in discovering the ancient amulet, Ziv Nitzan was honored with a certificate for outstanding citizenship.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A 3-Year-Old Was Taking a Family Walk—and Picked Up an Amazing 3,800-Year-Old Amulet
A 3-year-old girl on a family walk picked up an interesting-looking pebble that turned out to be a 3,800-year-old amulet. The Canaanite scarab amulet, which dates to the Middle Bronze Age, was camouflaged among a the gravel on a path nearby an archaeology site in Israel. The find was reported and will now go on display in a special exhibition. Children are always picking stuff up off the ground—dirt, bugs, rocks, anything shiny. And usually, it's just junk. However, 3-year-old Ziv Nitzan made the discovery of her young life when, on a walk with her family, she picked up a small stone that wound up being a scarab amulet more than one thousand times her age. 'We were walking along the path, and then Ziv bent down and out of all the stones around her, she picked up this particular stone,' Omer Nitzan, Ziv's sister, said in a translated statement from the Israel Antiquities Authority. 'When she rubbed it and removed the sand from it, we saw something was different about it. I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone, and we realized we had discovered an archaeological find.' The family brought in the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in ancient amulets and seals, analyzed the amulet before declaring it a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age. 'Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets,' Ben-Tor said, 'They were found in graves, in public buildings, and in private homes. Sometimes they bear symbols and messages that reflect religious beliefs or status.' Popular in ancient Egypt, amulets in the shape of a dung beetle often come with ornate designs. The dung beetle was revered in ancient Egypt, considered sacred and a symbol of new life. Nitzan found the scarab at the foot of Tel Azeka, an archaeological mound near Beit Shemesh. Previous excavations in the area have revealed an ever-shifting mix of cultures across the site's history, from a Judahite Kingdom that featured city walls and agricultural installations to the possible site of the Biblical battle between David and Goliath found in the book of First Samuel. Unlike the archaeologists that have dug up the site over the years, Ziv needed no formal training for her find. Omer said in a translated video statement that out of the 70,000 stones around Ziv, she picked up the one that was an amulet and 'saw that something was different about it.' 'We have been excavating here for almost 15 years,' Oded Lipschits, professor and director of the Tel Aviv University archeological dig at the site, said in a statement, 'and the excavation findings show that during the Middle Bronze and Late Bronze ages, here in Tel Azekah, thrived one of the most important cities in the Judean lowlands. The scarab found by Ziv joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered here, which attest to the close ties and cultural influences between Canaan and Egypt during that period.' Lipschits said that the locally made artifact found by Ziv was inspired by Egyptian styles. Amichai Eliyahu, Israeli Minister of Heritage, said Ziv's find and the family's reporting of it deepens connections to ancient civilizations. 'Thanks to her, everyone will be able to see it and enjoy it,' he said. The scarab now joins additional artifacts from the era for a special public display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in honor of Passover. Many of the items will be shown for the first time, including seals of pharaohs, Egyptian statues, ritual vessels, and now a scarab amulet discovered by an enthralled 3-year-old. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
