Latest from Daily Mail
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Mystery of 5,000-year-old ancient Egyptian relics made using 'lost advanced technology'
A Florida billionaire has unveiled a private collection of ancient Egyptian vases he believes could rewrite history. Matt Beall, CEO of the retail giant Bealls Stores, has spent the last three years acquiring 85 hard-stone vessels carved from a range of stones, including granite, limestone and quartz. Many date back more than 5,000 years, but they feature a level of precision, symmetry, and detail that he says rivals modern machine work. The vases, carved from single blocks of hard stones, feature intricately shaped handles, finely hollowed interiors and bases accurate to thousandths of an inch. 'The explanation is that stone and copper chisels were used, that's absolutely ridiculous,' Beall said at the Cosmic Summit, a conference on alternative history held in North Carolina. 'There was certainly a lathe involved. But the tools needed to make these things aren't in the archaeological record.' He has spent countless hours scouring auction sites and antiquities dealers, acquiring pieces he believes hold the key to a lost technology. He has also teamed up with engineers and researchers to probe the mystery behind the vases' construction. However, Beall's claims challenge traditional views of Egyptian craftsmanship and have sparked debate among scholars. While experts admire the ancient stonework, they say there's no proof of lathes or advanced lost tools. Over 40,000 similar vases have been recovered from sites like the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and many are dated to before 2800 BC. Despite their age, many exhibit surprising symmetry and fine detailing. They are among the oldest artifacts of ancient Egypt, with some dating back over 6,000 years to the Predynastic period, which spanned from 4000 to 3000BC. The earliest examples were found in graves, where they were likely used in religious or funerary rituals. By the time of Egypt's First Dynasty, around 3100BC, stone vases had become widespread and increasingly sophisticated, used to hold oils, perfumes or offerings, and were often buried with the dead. Beall's controversial theory builds on observations made as far back as 1883, when famed British archaeologist Flinders Petrie discovered a trove of goods, noting signs that some vases may have been turned on lathes. 'The curves of vases are so regular, and the polish so fine, that it seems as if some mechanical means, such as a rotating appliance, must have been employed,' Petrie wrote in his studies. While some archaeologists argue that such precision can be explained by highly skilled manual craftsmanship, refined over generations, Beall has put his money and time on Petrie's side. 'We know they were made before the third dynasty, so they could go way back to before the Younger Dryas,' said Beall, who is the host of the Matt Beall Limitless podcast. The Younger Dryas is a controversial period proposed to have ended around 11,600 BC. While not widely accepted by mainstream scholars, some fringe researchers have linked it to a cataclysmic event that may have wiped out a forgotten advanced civilization, possibly the makers of these vases. Beall has been working with the Artifact Research Foundation, a team of meteorologists and engineers who specialize in ancient technologies. Together, they have used structured-light scanning, a method that projects light patterns to create highly accurate 3D models, on around 30 of the vases. CT scans have been performed on 35, offering a deeper look at their internal structure and uniformity. Beall pointed to CT scans of a thin granite vase, which revealed that both the top and sides are nearly perfectly round, with variations of less than one-thousandth of an inch, a level of accuracy rarely seen in ancient artifacts. A separate study of 22 vases by Dr Max Fomitchev-Zamilov, a computer scientist from the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology, uncovered shape errors as small as 15 microns, making them up to 10 times more precise than vases carved using modern machinery. Dr Fomitchev-Zamilov also noted that many of the vases appeared to be perfectly centered, suggesting a highly controlled method for aligning and rotating the stone during carving, which is typically associated with machine tools like lathes. However, the findings have not yet been peer-reviewed, and the researchers acknowledge the need for independent academic verification. Some of the vases have openings that are smaller than a human finger, baffling experts on how ancient people made a small, precise hole and then removed all the material inside thousands of years ago. Some of the vases have openings that are smaller than a human finger, baffling experts on how ancient people made a small, precise hole and then removed all the material inside thousands of years ago 'Interior tool marks are present on most, if not all, of these artifacts, which is pretty fascinating,' Beall said. 'It's strong evidence of lathe use. You just don't get those fine, precise lines inside these objects unless they're being cut with a very sharp tool. 'Now, whether that tool was diamond-tipped or something else, we don't know. But these are some of the hardest stones on Earth. 'And to think those lines, these aren't spiral grooves, by the way, they're horizontal lines, cleanly cutting across the stone. So yes, we do see tool marks inside the material, but so far, no physical tool remnants have been found within the cuts.'
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
My Costco hack meant I got new tires installed on my car for free
A woman on says she saved more than $100 at Discount Tire — just by mentioning she had a Costco membership. The customer, who goes by Pie & Prayer on TikTok, explained in a viral video that she overheard an employee offer another couple a waived installation fee after they debated going to Costco for tires instead. The employee said, 'Well, Costco waives the installation fee, so we'll match that.' So Pie & Prayer decided to test it for herself. 'When I got to the counter, I said, 'I heard what you said to the other couple, and I have a Costco card.' She says the worker looked at her card and waived the fee. While Discount Tire hasn't confirmed the average cost of its installation fee, Reddit users and other tire shoppers report it typically runs over $100. Costco members who aren't interested the chain's auto centers can visit one of its gas stations if they purchase memberships starting at $65 a year. The stations, a popular perk, recently extended its operating hours. Discount Tire offers over 60 tire brands for all types of vehicles, including cars, trailers, and ATVs Discount Tire is the largest independent tire and wheel retailer US, operating over 1,200 locations across 37 states. The chain offers over 60 tire brands for all types of vehicles, including cars, trailers, and ATVs. Nearly all Costco stores have tire centers available for all its members needing installation and maintenance services. Some will be built in the chain's newest stores, one being in its recently opened location in Stuart, Florida. The perk has attracted new members, but unlike Discount Tire, its employees cannot install tires on every vehicle type, and it will only install Costco-purchased tires. When it comes to the two stores, multiple Reddit users stated they would visit Discount Tire over Costco any day for a tire change. 'I was tired of long lines at Costco and having to drive few miles and wait at the warehouse for an hour or two to complete the tire installation or seasonal swap,' a post creator wrote. 'I never used DT before and decided to bite the bullet. Everything was completed in 15-20 minutes! Having seen only Costco install/swap tires, this is a record time.' 'The tire center at Costco makes for good reading on many issues and complaints posted here but a total waste of time compared to DT,' another person responded. Discount Tire is the largest independent tire and wheel retailer US, operating over 1,200 locations Drivers who are willing to take the Costco risk can visit any of the chain's auto centers. They can also stop by a Walmart auto care center, which offers services like tire installation, battery testing, and oil changes. Besides its plans to hike prices and roll out AI-powered 'Scan & Go' technology, Sam's Club has tire and repair centers that gives customers access to 24-hour roadside assistance. Shoppers can become Sam's Club members online or in store, and watch out for limited-time membership price slashes. Various other chains have also gotten positive reviews, including Advance Auto, which is in the process of shuttering over 700 locations.
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The A-list wedding of the year begins! Billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez prepare to exchange vows as they are joined by star-studded guest list at lavish $20million celebration in Venice
The most lavish celebrity wedding for a generation has begun with stars arriving to see Lauren Sanchez marry Jeff Bezos at a ceremony and reception set to cost the Amazon billionaire upwards of $20million. Royals, statesmen and Hollywood glitterati have gathered together in Venice for the Bezos-Sanchez nuptials as one of the world's great cities of love plays host to an event like no other. Lauren looked stunning as she was whisked by speedboat to San Giorgio Maggiore, which overlooks a Venice lagoon, to walk down the aisle in front of 200 VIP guests. She wore a classic white suit and headscarf to land on the island where she changed into her handmade, one of a kind Dolce & Gabbana gown. Amid local protests, the globe's richest and most powerful people have descended on La Serenissima, the Most Serene Republic of Venice, to pay homage to the Amazon billionaire and his blushing 55-year-old bride. Bezos and Sanchez will now say their vows in the restored amphitheatre on the island while Matteo Bocelli, the son of tenor Andrea, sings. Although one slight wrinkle is that impeccable sources revealed to the Mail's Alison Boshoff last night that the Amazon founder and journalist-turned-philanthropist Lauren Sanchez are already married with a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244billion (£177billion) fortune signed and sealed. But whether they knew already or not, the world's most rich and powerful were not going to miss the nuptials of a lifetime. After the couple walk down the aisle, a budget of 1,000 Euros a head has been set for the wedding breakfast and according to local reports it will include the local Venetian delicacy of cuttlefish stew washed down with fine wines. It is thought that singer-songwriter Usher, who also arrived yesterday, may be performing. Reports that Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga will sing have been denied by representatives for both. But the aspirational couple's wedding celebrations, pencilled in to last three days with the wedding ceremony ongoing and 'grand ball' on Saturday night, have already been branded 'more Vegas than Versailles'. Five of the city's most luxurious hotels have been booked out to host an estimated 250 influential guests. Make up tycoon Kylie Jenner needed a separate water taxi to carry her 25 pieces of monogrammed luggage to her Venetian home for the weekend. Some of the world's most eligible bachelors are in Venice for the wedding – Orlando Bloom, freshly split from fiancée Katy Perry. Divorced sporting superstar Tom Brady, and divorced talent agent and billionaire music executive Scooter Braun, were on a lads' night out with him. Former US President Barack Obama is among guests – he and Bezos have been on warm terms for years, and Bezos donated $100million (£72million) to the Obama Foundation in 2021. The event has also attracted a near-quorum of Kardashians. Matriarch Kris Jenner is close friends with Lauren Sanchez, while daughters Kim and Khloe were also in attendance. Kylie Jenner, her daughter by Olympic athlete Caitlin, arrived at the Gritti Palace hotel on Thursday afternoon. Others at today's ceremony include former chat show host Oprah Winfrey and her best friend, TV presenter and author Gayle King, who went on the much-mocked space 'flight' on Bezos Blue Origin rocket last month with Sanchez and an all-female team. Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka is there along with husband Jared Kushner, but the President himself – reportedly invited – will not come to Venice. Both Bezos and Sanchez were there for Trump's inauguration earlier this year and Bezos attracted much criticism when his Washington Post newspaper declined to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the US election last year. Queen Rania of Jordan has also been seen, as have fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Protests by disgruntled locals continue, and are planned for during the ceremony and throughout the wedding celebrations. Sources says that Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has assured the couple that he can guarantee their safety in the middle of the city. The Bezos wedding began on Thursday with the first of three days of parties in Venice. A source closely connected to the organisation of the week's events said: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. 'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.' The source adds: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married. 'There is no application for a wedding licence from the couple because it was not required. 'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.' The source added that Bezos had personally confirmed that he and Sanchez – who met when both were married to other people – are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion (£177 billion) fortune. As the eyes of the world focused on the event, staff at the privately owned Madonna dell Orto cloisters - where the couple held their 'eve of' reception on Thursday night with finger food and pizza - erected tents to stop overflying drones from picturing the guests. It's thought that the event included speeches from the bride to the groom and vice versa. Policemen on jetskis meanwhile patrolled the entrance to the nearest canal. The two three star hotels neighbouring the cloister were booked up to house the 150 staff who are working on the wedding. The guests are staying rather more comfortably at the five star Aman, The Gritti Palace and the Cipriani. The build-up has not gone smoothly, however. Plans were ripped up and remade over the past week as the bride and groom reeled from public hostility to their descent on Venice, and responded to global political turbulence following US airstrikes in Iran. They have now left their $500 million (£363 million) yacht, the Koru, off the coast of Croatia, although it was initially intended to be moored in Venice. The venues for the various celebrations have changed, too, with plans for Saturday's party now moved to Arsenale, the shipbuilding yards, which are easier to make secure. 'The feeling was that the protests started to die down on Monday, so this was possible,' said one. Sydney Sweeney, 27, put on a very leggy display in a black mini dress with a plunging neckline, which she styled with a pair of pointed, buckled shoes hours before the wedding The Bezos wedding began on Thursday with the first of three days of parties in Venice (pictured: Bezos and Sanchez yesterday afternoon) The couple held their 'eve of' reception tonight with finger food and pizza (pictured heading to the event on Thursday with Sanchez sporting a new gigantic ring) Forty people were held by police after Extinction Rebellion held a small protest in St Mark's Square on Thursday morning. On Thursday lunchtime, the couple and a few of their guests enjoyed a private lunch in the gardens of the Villa Baslini on the tiny island of San Giovanni Evangelista. The island offers perfect privacy and the couple were able to totally evade the army of paparazzo who have descended on Venice. Meanwhile preparations also continued at the Arsenale – in warehouse 91 to be specific - which was the last-minute switch of venue for Saturday night's grand ball, from Scuola della Misericordia, after protesters said they would dive into the bordering canal. One staff member said: 'I can tell you that [warehouse 91 is] a beautiful location. All the tables have a wonderful flower display, and they are putting up large chandeliers in the ceiling – it's going to have a Venetian masked ball theme is what I have heard but we've been told no photos, and we have to leave our phones with security.' The celebrations began on Wednesday evening with a drinks reception in the ballroom of the stunning 16th century Aman hotel, in one of Venice's most venerable palazzos, which overlooks the Grand Canal. Then the wedding guests including Bezos and Sanchez made their way to a private dinner party at the Palazzo Brandolini, hosted by Diane von Furstenberg. Usher looked dapper in a white suit with a maroon striped top last night Kim Kardashian pictured in a snake skin dress as she headed to the festivities on Thursday Khloe Kardashian joined her, donning a silver and black gown that accentuated her stunning curves Kendall Jenner (top) and Kylie Jenner leave their hotel Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey were also there. Gayle was seen in a white and yellow dress while Oprah flaunted her figure in a maroon number that had cut-outs on the midriff area The designer, 77, is close to the bride and groom to be, with her husband, the mogul Barry Diller, serving as a mentor and inspiration to Jeff Bezos for the past decade. Diller said in an interview that Bezos is a 'very dear, very loving friend' and has also been vocal in his admiration for Sanchez, a former local TV anchor and helicopter pilot. The party was in Diane's Venetian home, which occupies the second floor of the spectacular 15th century palazzo, filled with mirrors, gilding and frescoes. The magazine Architectural Digest visited last year and described it as 'stupendous' – and they are not easily impressed.
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sydney Sweeney puzzles fans after being spotted in Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding
Sydney Sweeney has baffled social media users after she was seen out and about in Venice ahead Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez 's wedding, with many fans wondering why she has been invited. Hollywood megastars and A-list celebrities have all descended on the Italian city for the multi-day $20 million festivities to celebrate the couple, who secretly tied the knot weeks ago. The celebrations kicked off on Thursday night with a pre-wedding dinner, and the notable guests all headed out for a spot of high-end shopping mere hours ahead of the nuptials. Sydney, 27, is among the star-studded guest list and was photographed hitting the shops with Vittoria Ceretti on Friday morning just hours ahead of the ceremony. She was also pictured leaving the wedding party at Campo Della Madonna dell'Orto on Thursday evening in a plunging pink and green floral dress featuring a sweeping frilled skirt. Details surrounding Sydney's friendship with the bride and groom remain unclear and naturally many perplexed fans are pondering her inclusion in the celebrations. 'The most random people are at this wedding,' one pointed out on Instagram. 'So, did they just invite a bunch of famous people and not actual friends and family?' asked another. The actress was photographed hitting the shops with Vittoria Ceretti on Friday morning just hours ahead of the ceremony Echoing a similar sentiment, a third said: 'This wedding gets weirder and weirder. Did they just send invitations to every A-list celeb on the planet and hope some came?' 'I'm convinced they paid a bunch of random celebs to come,' another continued. A fifth added: 'Just seems so fake and phony of a whack guest list yuck.' Besides Sydney, the Bezos's celebrity guest list also boasts the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Ellie Goulding and Kendall Jenner. Former US President Barack Obama also joined. He and Bezos have been on warm terms for years, and Jeff donated $100 million (£72million) to the Obama Foundation in 2021. Though Jeff and Lauren are yet to walk down the aisle in Venice - it was revealed on Thursday that the couple are already legally married. A source told 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.' 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married,' they added. Lauren and Jeff pictured on June 26 as they left their hotel to going to Madonna dell'Orto Cloister for the welcoming party Just hours ago, Lauren was pictured leaving the five-star Aman hotel before making her way to San Giorgio Maggiore Island where she will exchange vows with the billionaire tech mogul. Police officers on jet skis are out in force this afternoon as the wedding draws closer. Officers patrolled the front of St Mark's Square in what is guaranteed to be a tight security operation this afternoon in Venice. Italian media have reported the city will pay overtime to an unspecified number of police officers involved in security for the wedding organisers.
Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
TSA issues important clarification about ID cards required for flying
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been forced to issue a hilarious statement about which ID cards qualify as official identification while traveling. It came after a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted a picture of a bright yellow Waffle House customer card with the caption, 'TSA might want REAL ID, but I have the realest ID.' It read 'Matthew Cappucci, Meteorologist,' with an American flag in the right corner. The post amassed over 2.2 million views and thousands of replies - including one from the official TSA account. 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),' the organization's comical response read. People all across the globe were entertained by the post and TSA's involvement. 'How does one even acquire this?' one user asked. 'You didn't have to flex on us like this,' a different person wrote, while another said, 'Where do I get my Waffle House identification?' 'Respectfully, no… Waffle House IDs will not suffice as a Real ID alternative (sorry),' TSA replied 'That's the most American ID,' someone else stated. Another admitted: 'I have never been so jealous of an internet stranger.' Other comments read: 'This is an outrage. Waffle House trumps TSA all day every day,' and, 'This is your best tweet yet, @TSA.' One X user replied by posting an image of a Blockbuster membership card, writing, 'Will this do?' Cappucci followed up his post by writing: 'One of my greatest life accomplishments is being one of the only 90 people in this world that Waffle House follows.' It comes after the TSA responded to travelers who attempted to use their Costco cards as valid ID at the airport. US travelers are now required to have a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight, with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it. Still, some hopeful vacationers believed their trusty Costco membership cards would be their golden ticket through security. US travelers are now required to have a federally approved REAL ID or passport to board a domestic flight , with a standard driver's license no longer cutting it (stock image) The TSA made it clear in a Facebook post this week that the membership card cannot act as a substitute. 'We love hotdogs and rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as REAL ID because it absolutely does not,' the agency wrote. The TSA's response to the hilarious ID 'hack' sparked over 700 comments. Many users were amused by the idea, while others insisted the Costco card should actually count as a valid form of ID.
