The first telescopes, known as refracting telescopes, were built in the early 17th century by Dutch eyeglass makers. They employed a pair of lenses—one convex fitted at the end of the scope, and one concave for the eyepiece. For the most part, these scopes were used to survey land and for military exploits. Italian astronomer […]
Researchers may have solved one lingering mystery behind the world’s oldest known mechanical computer using a combination of statistical analysis, techniques used to examine spacetime ripples, and a little bit of holiday season downtime. The Antikythera mechanism is the world’s oldest known, hand-operated mechanical computer—and still a bit of an enigma. Archeologists recovered deteriorated fragments […]
There was a time when screensavers truly saved screens. If you used any Windows computer in the 1990’s or are simply a fan of digital nostalgia, then you likely remember a PC’s suite of instantly recognizable idle modes—customizable 3D flying text or objects, infinite labyrinths, and expanding networks of complex pipes. These animation screens weren’t […]
Although Mayan written sources clearly document human sacrificial rituals, many details about the Mesoamerican civilization’s ceremonial victims remain unknown. Thanks to new genetic analysis, however, archeologists are piecing together the intricate religious and agricultural rites—and they are as revealing as they are grim. Centrally located in the northern Yucatán Peninsula, Chichén Itzá is considered one […]
New genetic analysis of two princes’ within a pair of Germany’s most well-preserved Celtic burial mounds confirms a long-suspected familial relationship—one that may shake up our understanding of gender relationships within Iron Age societies. Based on DNA reconstruction efforts, it appears at least some Celtic clans revolved around matrilineal instead of patrilineal dynasties. Unlike the […]
The proposed ‘Ahramat’ branch may have aided construction and trade.
There are a lot of great video games, but only a select few are considered pivotal enough to earn a place within the World Video Game Hall of Fame. Established in 2015 and located within The Strong National Museum of Play, the Hall of Fame highlights titles that meet four major criteria—iconic status, longevity, international […]
The National Archives is partnering with the genealogy company Ancestry to digitize and index tens of millions of US records related to the military, immigration history, and Indigenous communities over the next 5 years. Announced on Thursday, organizers intend to make an initial 65.5 million documents available online within two years, including World War II […]
King Sargon II was a big fan of seeing his name around town—at least, that’s what one expert believes after reviewing a series of repeating mystery images that have confounded researchers for well over a century. Ruler of the Neo-Assyrian empire from 721-704 BCE, Sargon II oversaw huge portions of ancient Mesopotamia, and is considered […]
A research team’s “bionic eye” deciphered thousands of new words hidden within an ancient scroll carbonized during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius—and the new text points to the long-lost, potential final resting place of the philosopher Plato. The 1,800-scroll collection, located in the estate now known as the “Villa of the Papyri,” was almost instantaneously […]
