New language discovered in ancient Bronze Age ruins
Ancient clay tablets unearthed from ancient ruins in Turkey by archaeologists have revealed a language lost to the passages of time. The new language was discovered in the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire at Hattusa (known as Boğazköy-Hattusha). The well-preserved tablets are among many incredible artworks found at the site - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the past four decades, researchers have dusted off nearly 30,000 unique tablets - with most written in Hittite. New research, however, shows that some of the tablet haul shows that they are written in a language previously unknown to modern man. Of course, the meaning and words of this language have not been deciphered, but it appears from early inspection to branch off from languages used within the Hittite Empire - and is being referred to as Kalašma. Interestingly though, researchers from the Istanbul Department of the German Archaeological Institute have noted that the new language is found within a recitation in a 'cultic ritual text'. While that's usually the basis of a middling horror movie, we're certain that there's nothing to worry about - it stems from an ancient Hittite practice. Professor Daniel Schwemer explains that the discovery wasn't unexpected. "The Hittites were uniquely interested in recording rituals in foreign languages," he said. These ritual texts provide insight into little-known languages, and thanks to this discovery, one more has been added to the list. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Portland Timbers extend winning streak after 3-2 triumph over Colorado Rapids
Portland Timbers just keep on winning.
1970-01-01 08:00
How the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce connection started with a friendship bracelet
Taylor Swift fans have famously worn and traded personalized friendship bracelets, typically featuring the names of her songs and albums, throughout the US-leg of her "Eras" tour. So when Swift played Arrowhead Stadium in July, Kansas City Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce said he made a play for Swift by attempting to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number.
1970-01-01 08:00
Myles Garrett Causing a Delay of Game Simply By Existing Is Awesome
Myles Garrett was a one-man wrecking crew for the Cleveland Browns yesterday against the Tennessee Titans, racking up 3.5 sacks to the visiting team's three tot
1970-01-01 08:00
Chandrayaan-3 makes 'unexpected' discovery on the Moon
India’s Chandrayaan-3 lander only touched down on the Moon a month ago, but already it's made some major contributions to science. The spacecraft arrived on the satellite's unexplored south pole on 23 August, securing India's place as the first country to achieve this ambitious feat. Its rover, named Pragyan (or "wisdom" in Sanskrit) then embarked on an exploration of the rocky terrain, equipped with two instruments for conducting chemical experiments. And now, India's space agency, the ISRO, has published the ground-breaking data collected by the bold robot. Pragyan's findings offered a new, detailed insight into what makes up the lunar soil. And whilst scientists were unsurprised by the presence of iron, titanium, aluminium and calcium in the rocks, they were stunned to note a much higher concentration of sulphur than expected. The discovery is significant for a number of reasons. Most significantly, perhaps, because the sulphur could be used to help create a human base on the Moon. As Jeffrey Gillis-Davis, a planetary scientist, pointed out in a piece for Science Alert: "Astronauts and robots could travel from the south pole base to collect, process, store and use naturally occurring materials like sulfur on the Moon – a concept called in-situ resource utilization. "In-situ resource utilization means fewer trips back to Earth to get supplies and more time and energy spent exploring. Using sulfur as a resource, astronauts could build solar cells and batteries that use sulfur, mix up sulfur-based fertilizer and make sulfur-based concrete for construction." Gillis-Davis went on to explain that sulfur-based concrete has a number of advantages over the more common variety used in building, pointing out that it "hardens and becomes strong within hours rather than weeks, and it's more resistant to wear". "It also doesn't require water in the mixture, so astronauts could save their valuable water for drinking, crafting breathable oxygen and making rocket fuel," he added. The presence of sulphur near the Moon's south pole also suggests that highland soils at the lunar poles could have very different compositions to highland soils at the lunar equatorial regions. This would have key implications for our understanding of how the Moon works as a geological system, given that sulfur mainly comes from volcanic activity. Still, there's plenty of work to be done. And while this is all just one small step in Chandrayaan-3's mission, it could mean a great leap in how we view our dear celestial companion. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
EU Commission blocks Booking's planned acquisition of flight booking provider Etraveli
The European Union’s executive arm is blocking leading U.S. online travel agency Booking from acquiring Sweden’s flight booking provider Etraveli Group
1970-01-01 08:00
ECB's Lagarde bets that rates held at record high will curb inflation
FRANKFURT The European Central Bank's record high deposit rate could help cut inflation to 2%, ECB President Christine
1970-01-01 08:00
5 breakout fantasy football stars to pick up for Week 4
A pair of Texans and the top scorer of the week highlight the best fantasy football pickups for Week 4.
1970-01-01 08:00
Everything the Astros, Mariners and Rangers need to clinch a playoff berth this week
Three AL West contenders and only two spots remain. What do the Astros, Mariners and Rangers need to clinch a playoff berth this week?
1970-01-01 08:00
Interest rates will stay high 'as long as necessary,' the European Central Bank's leader says
The head of the European Central Bank says interest rates will stay high enough to restrict business activity for “as long as necessary” to beat back inflation because upward pressure on prices “remains strong.”
1970-01-01 08:00
Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Donates Water Bottle Filling Stations to Schools
STEVENS POINT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 25, 2023--
1970-01-01 08:00
Overreaction Monday: The Justin Fields trade that would get everyone involved fired
The Chicago Bears are eye-gougingly horrendous. To make matters worse, Justin Fields might stink. So even if they traded him, here is one destination that would get everybody involved fired. Where is he going?
1970-01-01 08:00
