This petite fossil bird might have hunted like today’s birds of prey

A 120-million-year-old fossil bird found in China could offer some new clues about how landbound dinosaurs evolved into today’s flying birds. The dove-sized Cratonavis zhui sported a dinosaur-like head atop a body similar to those of today’s birds, researchers report in the January Nature Ecology & Evolution.

The flattened specimen came from the Jiufotang Formation, an ancient body of rock in northeastern China that is a hotbed for preserved feathered dinosaurs and archaic birds. CT scans revealed that Cratonavis had a skull that was nearly identical (albeit smaller) as those of theropod dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, paleontologist Li Zhiheng of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and colleagues report. This means that Cratonavis still hadn’t evolved the mobile upper jaw found in modern birds.

It’s among just a handful of specimens that belong to a recently identified group of intermediate birds known as the jinguofortisids, says Luis Chiappe, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County who was not involved in the study. Its dino-bird mishmash “is not unexpected.” Most birds discovered from the Age of Dinosaurs exhibited more primitive, toothed heads than today’s birds, he says. But the new find “builds on our understanding of this primitive group of birds that are at the base of the tree of birds.”

Cratonavis also had an unusually elongated scapula and hallux, or backward-facing toe. Rarely seen in Cretaceous birds, enlarged shoulder blades might have compensated for the bird’s otherwise underwhelming flight mechanics, the researchers say. And that hefty big toe? It bucks the trend of shrinking metatarsals seen as birds continued to evolve. Cratonavis might have used this impressive digit to hunt like today’s birds of prey, Li’s team says.

Filling those shoes may have been too big of a job for Cratonavis, though. Given its size, Chiappe says, the dino-headed bird would have most likely been a petite hunter, taking down the likes of beetles, grasshoppers and the occasional lizard rather than terrorizing the skies.

Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bird-t...

Drugs said to have been used by ancient shamans were discovered in 3,000-year-old human hair

The discovery of psychoactive alkaloids in hair fragments thought to have belonged to Bronze Age shamans on the Spanish island of Menorca provides the earliest proof of hallucinogenic drug use in Europe dating back 3,000 years.

The hairpieces were found in a hidden section of a burial chamber in the Es Càrritx cave on the island in the Mediterranean. The current study found that they tested positive for the stimulant ephedrine as well as the delirium-inducing alkaloids scopolamine and atropine.

The study's principal investigator, Elisa Guerra-Doce of the Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona, told IFL Science that prior investigations of the cave had uncovered the remains of at least 210 people who were interred there between 1400 BCE and 800 BCE.

Many of the dead had been discovered with hair that had been dyed red, and some had been buried with colored hair in tubes made of bone or wood.

Researchers did find an additional 10 tubes with hair inside of them and other artifacts from the historical period hidden below a layer of clay in a previously unknown area deep inside the cave.

According to the study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectroscopy were used to identify the presence of mind-altering drugs.

Guerra-Doce told IFL Science, "The interesting thing about this work is that it documents the intake [of hallucinogenic plants] in human samples for the first time.

Despite the fact that these were all indirect indications, she continued, "plants with psychotropic effects had already been identified in several archaeological contexts, including those that are far older than Es Càrritx."

Plants in the Datura genus, which have been linked to witchcraft and sorcery in the West for ages, contain scopolamine and atropine.

The findings, according to Guerra-Doce, "indicate that these folks genuinely absorbed these chemicals, which were derived from diverse plants," rather than necessarily implying that these individuals were swallowing the plants to experience euphoria.

The study discovered that the alkaloids present in hair can result in "severe mental confusion, powerful and realistic hallucinations, disorientation... [and] out-of-body experiences and a feeling of modification of the skin, as if growing fur or feathers."

The handling, use, and applications of the alkaloids detected in the hair "expressed highly specialized knowledge," the researchers stated.

The hair was thought to be that of ancient shamans because of this specific understanding, according to researchers.

Concentric rings adorned the tubes where the hair was discovered, which scholars believe may be a representation of the "inner vision" that shamans saw after consuming hallucinogenic substances.

According to Guerra-Doce, who spoke to IFL Science, the tubes may have been carefully buried as a result of "social instability" among the Menorcan populace about 3,000 years ago.

According to researchers, "in this context, in the cave of Es Càrritx, some individuals reluctant to abandon ancient traditions, concealed a collection of ritual objects belonging to certain members of the community, possibly shamans, in the hope that the previous social order could be re-established in the future."

Dwarfie Stane: Scotland's Dark Mystical Isle of Hoy, Home To The Mysterious 5,000-Year-Old Rock-Cut Tomb

A particularly old and substantial block of red sandstone is known as the "Dwarfie Stane." There has been a mystery surrounding this 5,000-year-old brick up to this day.

There is no documentation of who built this enormous tomb, how they did it, or for what purpose or purposes.

The mysterious stone, known as the Dwarfie Stane, is thought to be the sole rock-cut tomb in Britain and is located in a narrow valley with steep sides between Quoys and Rackwick on the island of Hoy in Orkney, Scotland.

Between the Neolithic and the Early Bronze Period, most likely around 3,000 BC, the chamber was hollowed out. Based on similar graves found in the Mediterranean region, this estimate was made.

What makes this enormous slab so unique? Someone once hollowed out the "Dwarfie Stane" using only a few basic tools, persistence, and a lot of physical might.

The stone slab is up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) high and measures roughly 8.5 meters (28 feet) long by 4 meters (13 feet) wide. The west face of the stone had an entrance that was 1 meter (3.3 ft) square and went into the inner chamber.

Both "bed-places," which are oddly too little for someone of average height, are the subject of numerous folktales and legends about dwarfs, and these ancient tales are said to encircle the location.

Visitors once left gifts at the "Dwarfie Stane" as a sign of their appreciation. Why? Was the room intended for a monk or hermit who lived there by himself?

It is reported that the aperture was first sealed with a sizable slab of sandstone that was outside the opening. It's interesting to note that the enigmatic tomb was still covered up until the 16th century.

The strange stone slab has never been the subject of any archaeological dig, and we have no idea what, if anything, was discovered inside.

Yet, there is evidence of a hole that was likely an effort to break into the inside of the stone via the roof that was later covered with concrete.

An old Orcadian mythology claims that a giant and his wife created the Dwarfie Stane. The gigantic pair was imprisoned inside the stone by a third giant who desired to become the ruler of the island of Hoy.

His malicious schemes, however, were foiled when the giant who was being held captive was able to escape through the chamber's roof.

The Cryptic Voynich Manuscript - World's Most Mysterious Book

The Voynich Manuscript is a handwritten document of unknown origin and authorship, written in an unknown script and language. The manuscript is named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish book dealer who purchased it in 1912. The manuscript contains approximately 240 pages, and is richly illustrated with diagrams, drawings of plants, astrological symbols, and human figures.

The Voynich Manuscript is written on vellum, a type of parchment made from animal skin, and has been dated to the early 15th century based on carbon dating of its materials. Despite many attempts by scholars and cryptographers, the script has not been fully deciphered, and the meaning of its contents remains a mystery.

Over the years, many theories have been put forward about the origins and purpose of the Voynich Manuscript. Some have suggested that it may be a medical or alchemical treatise, while others have proposed that it is a religious or mystical text. Others have speculated that it may be a hoax or a cipher that was intended to keep information secret.

Despite numerous attempts to decipher the manuscript, the script has remained indecipherable. Some researchers have claimed to have made progress in deciphering certain portions of the text, but their findings have been controversial and not widely accepted by the academic community.

In summary, the Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious and enigmatic document that has confounded scholars and intrigued the public for centuries. Its meaning and purpose remain a mystery, and its contents continue to be the subject of intense study and speculation.

Battle of Torvioll, 1444 Skanderbeg's Rebellion - Rise of the Albanian Dragon

Skanderbeg, a national hero of the Albanians, was the first to organize a league of Albanian princes, over which he was appointed commander in chief, in 1444. For twenty two years, in the period 1444-66, he effectively repulsed 13 Turkish invasions. His successful resistance to the Ottoman armies made him a hero throughout the Western world.

The Sacred Band of Thebes Documentary

In this ancient history documentary we take a closer look at one of the most famous units of history, the Sacred Band of Thebes. The video begins with an over view of the the history of Thebes. We cover its mythology, founding in the bronze age, and rise to power over the course of the Greco Persian wars, the Peloponnesian war, and the ensuing wars in greek history.

The Sacred Band actually only exists for a brief period of 40 years around the height of Theban power. It was formed in response to Spartan aggression following the restoration of the Theban democracy. The unit was supposedly composed of paired male lovers according to Plutarch. They were garrisoned on the acropolis of Thebes and became a jack of all trades for their polis, capable of serving as not just front line troops but also fire fighters and strategic strike forces.

The history documentary then covers their military training, equipment, and service history. This includes a discussion of the battle of Tegyra where they defeated a superior Spartan force and the famous battle of Leuctra where the Sacred Band of Thebes helped defeat a spartan army. Finally we conclude with the battle of Chaeronea where the Sacred Band faces its match in the invading Macedonian Army of Philip II of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great.

Secrets of the Libyan Pharaohs

In this video we will explore the ruins of Tell Basta (site of ancient Bubastis) and San al-Hagar (site of ancient Tanis) to find out answers about the time of the Meshwesh Libyan rulers of Egypt in the mysterious Third Intermediate Period of Egyptian history. Enjoy!

Incredible Stone Age House: Primitive Technology 3,800BC

Here is a Stone Age Primitive House inspired by the 4,000 BC Horton Neolithic House excavated in Berkshire, England. Built with a Scots Pine roundwood timber frame, and 12 tons of reed thatch for the roof. With wattle and daub walls, a solid oak timber frame entrance with deer skin doors and complete with fire pit and deer skin beds inside. This replica Primitive House built at Butser Ancient Farm was inspired by the finds of Wessex Archeology. Only post holes and faint outlines of the foundations were discovered in Berkshire, England. We can only guess that the structure would have used a basic timber frame structure, likely an A-frame roof to shed water, and being near the river Thames, likely covered in water reed for the thatched roof.

Dwarka: Have archaeologists finally found India's sunken kingdom?

The city of Dwarka is one of the seven holy pilgrimage centres in India. It is the only place which is contemporary with the events described in the epic Mahabharata, where it is described as the ancient kingdom of Krishna. It is written that upon Krishna's death the city was sunk beneath the Arabian sea.

Today, archaeologists searching for the lost kingdom believe they have found evidence of its existence off the coast of the modern-day Dwarka, and are trying to understand what could have caused it to be lost beneath the sea.

What Was The Earth Like During The Ice Age?

For hundreds of millions of years, an abundance of large animals, the megafauna, was a prominent feature of the land and oceans. However, in the last few tens of thousands of years—a blink of an eye on many evolutionary and biogeochemical timescales—something dramatic happened to Earth’s ecology; megafauna largely disappeared from vast areas, rendered either actually or functionally extinct. Only in small parts of the world do megafauna exist at diversities anything close to their previous state, and, in many of these remaining regions, they are in a state of functional decline through population depletion and range contraction.

The last ice age peaked around 20,000 years ago. Glaciers covered huge areas of North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The last ice age was during the Pleistocene epoch which was a geological period starting 2.6 million years ago and ending 11,700 years ago. This epoch saw many glacial and interglacial periods. When the climate was cooler, the glaciers advanced. When it was warmer, they retreated. During the last ice age, global temperatures were about 11 degrees Fahrenheit (or 6 degrees Celsius) cooler than today. This last ice age began 115,000 years ago and ended 11,700 years ago.

With cooler temperatures and a lot of ice cover, there was less precipitation and less rainfall. Snow and ice reflected more of the sun’s rays, only adding to the cold. In addition, sea levels were much lower as more of the oceans were locked up as ice. This resulted in land bridges that had previously been covered by the sea. These bridges allowed species to access islands from the mainland and even cross from one continent to another.

Where Did Cheese Really Come From?

Let's talk Cheese History. In this video we will take you on an epic food journey as we reveal the History of Cheese. We're going from the very beginning and seeing where cheese began and what it is today. We'll make stops through various points in history and see some of the surprising origins of your favorite cheeses.