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Irish Independent
20-07-2025
- Science
- Irish Independent
Ancient nobles' ringfort revealed by archaeologists in Galway
Rathgurreen Ringfort, in the Maree area of Co Galway, has been described as an impressive 'high-status' settlement that could date anywhere from the 5th to 12th century AD. An eight-week archaeological excavation, directed by Dr Michelle Comber and Dr Noel McCarthy of the Discipline of Archaeology at University of Galway, has also revealed exciting new layers to the story of the panoramic site with views south to the Burren, west to the Atlantic, and north across Galway. The ringfort was first investigated and proposed as a high-status settlement – home to a local ruler such as a king or lord – by Professor Michael Duignan, then chairman of archaeology at the university, in the late 1940s. Excavations now suggest that parts of the site are potentially 1,000 years older than previously thought, with evidence of contact with Rome, Scotland, France, and Scandinavia, possibly including the trade of valuable purple dye made at Rathgurreen. A team of professionals, students and volunteers took part in the archaeological dig this summer on a section of the 100m-diameter ringfort. Dr Comber, lecturer in archaeology at the university, said: 'What we can say with some certainty is that Maree is an ancient territory. 'Our research confirms that Rathgurreen was the home of a noble family – hence the description as high-status. 'But the story is much deeper and richer. We have evidence of continuity and change at this site – a settlement that possibly dates back to the Iron Age, that was later developed into a very fine ringfort. 'A new home with links to ancestors would certainly have been very attractive to Early Medieval nobility.' The archaeology team found a number of glass beads, some coloured blue and another turquoise and red. These have parallels in other parts of Ireland and Scotland in the Iron Age – the era that immediately precedes the Early Medieval period. The dig has also confirmed the presence of Early Medieval pottery from northern France and amber beads likely connected with Scandinavian trade routes used by the Vikings. Evidence of the manufacture of purple dye at Rathgurreen comprises the remnants of dog-whelk shellfish that were processed at the settlement to produce the rare and valuable colouring. Dr Comber added: 'We are working in an ancient high-status settlement located roughly mid-way along the Atlantic seaboard. 'In no sense, though, would it have been viewed as 'wild' or isolated – on the contrary it was part of a wider community and had links with other parts of Ireland, Scotland and mainland Europe. 'The big takeaway from this site is that a place like Galway had a wider significance in the past, and that significance translates into the present.' The excavation marks the launch of a research project exploring land use through time on the Maree peninsula in Galway, with the university team hoping to continue digs at the site in 2026 and to pursue other locations in the area in future years. Community volunteers, University of Galway archaeology students, and international students from Uppsala University in Sweden came together to investigate the site and put into practice skills vital to careers in the archaeological profession. The wider project involves work with local, national and international communities as well as the development of a conservation management plan for Rathgurreen in conjunction with landowners and experts, through a community monuments fund with Galway County Council.
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Daily Record
Madeleine McCann 'smoking gun' may have been found by cops, says expert
Cops probing Madeleine's disappearance may have uncovered key new evidence linking prime suspect Christian Brueckner to the missing toddler, says expert. Police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann may have uncovered a major breakthrough after 'new evidence' reportedly linked the missing toddler to prime suspect Christian Brueckner. Authorities in Germany and Portugal spent three days last week scouring a 120-acre patch of land in Lagos, just 30 miles from Praia da Luz where three-year-old Madeleine vanished in May 2007. According to local reports, 'several objects' — including clothing, debris and bones — were recovered during the intense search of scrubland, derelict buildings and a crumbling farmhouse. A source told the Berlin Morning Post: "Several objects have apparently been discovered, which are now being examined in more detail by the police in the laboratory. As Portuguese media report, clothing debris and bones were found, among other things.' The search, carried out at the request of German federal police, focused on gathering fresh evidence that could finally implicate Brueckner, a convicted sex offender long suspected in the case. Disturbing new details about Brueckner have come to light in a recent documentary, including horrifying finds in his lair — such as images of children in swimming costumes, toddler toys, and sick kidnapping fantasies he had written out, including one where he uses chemical ether to abduct a mother and child. The documentary also reveals a harrowing quote allegedly made by Brueckner while discussing Madeleine with an associate: 'She did not scream.' In another chilling passage, he reportedly writes: 'A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five.' An 80GB hard drive and a laptop key were also uncovered — both allegedly linking Brueckner to the Arade Dam area where last week's search took place. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. One section of the documentary claims the suspect had a twisted ambition to 'capture something small and use it for days.' Experts believe these developments could prove pivotal. Professor Robert Green, Forensic Science expert at the University of Kent, told The Mirror: 'The authorities' decision to carry out a new search, it is likely influenced by the accumulation of new evidence and information that may have come to light, particularly from recent documentaries and interviews. 'As for the hard drive, if it contains incriminating evidence, it may indeed serve as a 'smoking gun' for investigators. Digital evidence often provides invaluable insights into a suspect's activities, intentions, and potential connections to criminal cases. Should the contents be substantial, they could significantly strengthen the case against Brueckner. 'The rationale behind the renewed search could stem from the ongoing pursuit of justice in the Madeleine McCann case and the hope that any additional evidence could lead to a breakthrough.' The new findings have reignited global interest in the case, as Madeleine's family and investigators continue their 18-year fight for justice.
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Scotsman
05-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Medieval Scots thought 'Scottish independence was compatible with being British'
Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A leading historian has suggested that Scottish independence has long been compatible with being British following his analysis of medieval texts. Professor Dauvit Broun, of the University of Glasgow, has found Scottish historians and writers in the 1380s and early 1500s regarded the Scottish kingdom as equivalent to Britain. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Malcolm III and Queen Margaret of Scotland. New research has illuminated the perspective that the Scottish royal line's connection to Anglo-Saxon royalty gave Scottish kings a claim to Britain as a whole. PIC: CC. | CC This was not as common as the tendency to refer to Britain as England, but it was similar, he said. While England's identification with Britain has existed for over a millennium, Prof Broun has discovered a parallel tradition where Scots envisioned Britain as an extension of Scotland. Professor Dauvit Broun, Professor of Scottish History at the University of Glasgow. | Photographic Unit University of Prof Broun's findings follow the recent discovery of a booklet from the early 16th century that illuminates this unexpected relationship between Scottish independence and British identity that has, until now, been overlooked. READ MORE: Manuscript that sheds light on William Wallace and Wars of Independence made public for first time Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The academic, writing in the Journal of Scottish Historical Studies, said these Scottish writers articulated a vision where Britain could be a kingdom ruled by the Scottish monarchy – effectively a Scottish kingdom expanded to island-wide scale. The professor of Scottish history said: 'A close reading of work by medieval Scottish historians and scholars shows they firmly believed that Scottish independence was entirely compatible with British identity. 'In this era, Britain was not seen as an English-dominated kingdom, as is often how it is viewed today, but rather a space that could be ruled by the Scottish monarchy. This idea of Britain as fundamentally Scottish is a surprising and provocative viewpoint in today's often polarised debates around national identity.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A key figure in Prof Broun's analysis is John Mair, the so-called 'founding father of Scottish unionism'. Prof Broun, in his paper, said Mr Mair's vision was essentially a Scottish kingdom expanded to include England. Mr Mair advocated for a marriage-based union between Scottish and English royal houses. Prof Broun has now argued Mr Mair envisioned this primarily from a Scottish perspective, with the assumption that a Scottish king would rule Britain. Prof Broun also analysed a previously unpublished manuscript booklet, the St Andrews Chronicles, which dates from around 1511 and gives rare insight into how ordinary educated Scots engaged with these ideas. The St Andrews Chronicles is a startling manuscript (Pic: University of St Andrews) This homemade booklet contains a collection of historical texts about Scottish and British origins, king-lists and chronicles, suggesting these British-Scottish connections were of interest beyond elite scholarly circles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The physical characteristics of the booklet suggest it was created for personal use indicating a practical interest in these historical connections. The booklet appears to have copied an earlier compilation that itself may have expanded upon an even earlier collection of texts. This suggests these British Scottish historical perspectives were being transmitted and expanded by ordinary educated Scots over time, Prof Broun added. The arrangement of historical material in the booklet combines Scottish royal dynasty and events with outlines of Britain as a kingdom from ancient times similar to Mr Mair's approach, but predating his work. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad READ MORE: 13 Kings of Scotland and why they are remembered to this day The manuscript's significant focus on Malcolm III and St Margaret – appearing twice in different sections – mirrors the view the Scottish royal line's connection to Anglo-Saxon royalty gave Scottish kings a claim to Britain as a whole. This reinforces the distinctly Scottish-centric view of British history articulated particularly by the Scottish historian John of Fordun in the 1380s, he added.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alberta's measles case counts have topped 500 and doctors are worried
It has taken Alberta less than three months to top 500 measles cases sparking concern about the speed at which the virus is spreading and fears it could lead to the death of a child. By midday Wednesday, the province's total case count had surged to 505, more than doubling since the beginning of May. Alberta's outbreaks began in March. Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician at Alberta Children's Hospital, said some of the sickest kids from the south and central zones are at his hospital in Calgary for treatment. "100 per cent. We are seeing it now," he said. "There's some severe outcomes whether it's severe pneumonia or more severe issues with … inflammation of the brain. I've seen it myself, several times now in hospital." According to Thakore, some of these children are ending up in intensive care. The south zone is by far the hardest hit with 362 measles cases to date. The central zone has had 92 cases. Alberta Health confirmed on Tuesday one Albertan under the age of 18 was in ICU at that time. According to Thakore, it's difficult for parents and health care providers to watch children suffer from a vaccine-preventable illness. "You see the emotional toll it takes on the family and the psychological toll it takes on the family." Like most health care providers, he had never treated measles prior to this year's outbreaks. It was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998. Dr. Stephanie Smith, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta Hospital, is not surprised Alberta's outbreaks have snowballed to 500 cases, given that the virus is so highly contagious. And she's worried about the potential for children to die as the outbreaks grow. "Statistically, the more cases we have the more likelihood that we will end up seeing a child that dies of measles," she said. A toddler died of measles in Ontario last year. And Texas, which has the worst outbreak in the United States, has reported two children have died due to measles this year. Both of them were unvaccinated, according to the state's health department. The Alberta government'smeasles website states between one and three in every 1,000 people infected with measles will die. Publicly available data shows 35 Albertans had been hospitalized due to measles as of May 10. "It's heartbreaking and terrible to see children with severe brain inflammation, severe liver inflammation ... or severe pneumonia … when many of those could have been prevented," Smith said. "The message is really quite simple: please, please, please get your children vaccinated if you haven't already." Two doses of the vaccine offer 97- to 98-per cent protection, she said. The vast majority of Alberta's cases have been among the unimmunized, provincial data shows. Alberta's routine childhood immunization schedule recommends children receive their first dose of the measles vaccine at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months. However, babies as young as six months old, who are living in the south, central and north zones, are being offered an early and extra dose due to the level of risk. Meanwhile, Smith believes there are likely more cases in the community that haven't been tested or confirmed. "It does not appear that we've hit our peak yet. And so I think we'll continue to see this increase in numbers of cases in these communities where there's very low vaccination rates," she said. Measles symptoms include: High fever. Cough. Runny nose. Red eyes. Blotchy, red rash that appears three to seven days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin. Alberta Health provides detailed information on measles case counts, symptoms and free immunizationshere. A list of possible exposure alerts can be foundhere and a measles hotline is available for people with questions about symptoms, immunization records or to book an appointment: 1-844-944-3434
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Independence hero assassin's calligraphy breaking auction records in Seoul
Calligraphy by a South Korean independence hero, created while awaiting execution for assassinating a Japanese statesman, is breaking new auction records in Seoul, as the country's ultra-rich seek to bring historic artwork home. Revered in the South for his efforts to defend the country against Japanese encroachment, Ahn Jung-geun is best known for his dramatic, high-stakes assassination of Japan's first prime minister, Ito Hirobumi, in 1909 at a railway station in Harbin. He was hanged for the killing by Japanese authorities in 1910, just months before Tokyo formally annexed the Korean peninsula, ushering in a brutal period of occupation that lasted until the end of the Second World War. Now, more than a century after his death, the calligraphy Ahn created in his prison cell during his final days -- typically at the request of Japanese officials -- is drawing fresh attention in Seoul's glitzy art scene. In South Korea, Ahn's life has long inspired artists across generations, giving rise to a highly celebrated musical, multiple novels, and films -- including one starring "Crash Landing on You" actor Hyun Bin. Ahn was held in his prison cell in China for about 40 days leading up to his execution and he kept himself busy writing an autobiography and making hundreds of calligraphy pieces, including one requested by his own prison guard. "The court and prison officials, saying they wanted to keep my calligraphy as a memento, brought me hundreds of sheets of silk and paper and asked me to create for them," Ahn wrote in his autobiography. "I ended up spending several hours each day doing calligraphy, even though I wasn't particularly skilled in it." Even though Ahn had assassinated their top official Ito, the Japanese who took his calligraphy preserved them with care, and some of their descendants have donated them to the South Korean government, which subsequently designated them as national treasures. Now, more of the calligraphies are surfacing in the private art market, with the latest being auctioned last month in Seoul for 940 million won (US$674,098) -- more than three times its opening bid. The piece, which says "green bamboo" -- a traditional symbol of integrity -- had been owned by a Japanese individual who did not wish to be identified, and they had done an impeccable job preserving it, said Kim Jun-seon, art valuation specialist at Seoul Auction. "It wasn't even mounted and was still rolled up, but when we opened the case, the scent of ink still lingered in the air," she told AFP. - 'Terrorist' - Japan said Ahn was a criminal and terrorist and refused to hand over his remains. They have never been located. Moves to honour Ahn by Seoul and Beijing have previously strained ties with Tokyo, even briefly sparking a diplomatic row in 2013. The fact that his Japanese captors preserved his calligraphy "reflects the cultural and political contradictions of early twentieth-century East Asia," said Eugene Y. Park, a history professor at University of Nevada, Reno. At his trial, Ahn identified himself as a soldier for Korea, defined his assassination of Ito as a military operation, and envisioned a united East Asia -- comprising Korea, China, and Japan -- somewhat akin to today's European Union. "Some Japanese may have seen him as a misguided but principled idealist," Park told AFP. His calligraphy, which focused on values such as peace and ethics, "resonated culturally, even if he opposed them politically," he said. "At a time when Japan's own imperial identity was unsettled, preserving his works revealed deeper tensions between respect for moral courage and the pursuit of colonial domination." - Go in peace - In 2023, the Global Sae-A Group, a South Korean conglomerate, purchased one of Ahn's calligraphies for a record-breaking 1.95 billion won. The piece "Green Bamboo" was sold at auction last month to the family of South Korea's LS Group. "We expressed our intention to bring the piece back to Korea and share it with the public," Joung Tae-hee at Seoul Auction said, adding that the Japanese owner agreed to sell after hearing their proposal. Lee Sang-hyun, of the LS Group family, told AFP that his mother "hopes many citizens will be able to see this piece and that it will also be studied," and they are considering donating it to a national institution. Ahn became a catholic as a teenager and ends his autobiography with the words of Nicolas Joseph Marie Wilhelm, a French priest and missionary stationed in Korea, who travelled to his prison to see the activist and give him confession. The priest -- who had also baptised Ahn and was a long-time friend -- was disciplined for his trip, and was later forced to return to France. "The gracious lord will never abandon you," Wilhelm told Ahn. "He will surely take you in, so rest your heart and go in peace." cdl/ceb/tc
