Archaeologists Say They’ve Unearthed a Massive Medieval Cargo Ship That’s the Largest Vessel of Its Kind Ever Found

Spotted off the coast of Denmark, the “Svælget 2” is a cog, a kind of large trading vessel used in the Middle Ages. Experts say the 600-year-old discovery is “exceptionally well-preserved”

Divers swept away sand and silt to reveal the wreck.

Forty feet beneath the waters of Øresund, the strait between Denmark and Sweden, archaeologists have uncovered the wreck of a 600-year-old ship. Lavishly equipped and exceptionally well-preserved, the vessel is a medieval cargo ship, or cog, and is believed to be the largest of its kind ever discovered.

Maritime experts from Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum found the ship while mapping the seabed. The silt-covered vessel, named Svælget 2, measures roughly 92 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and 20 feet in height. Its estimated cargo capacity was 300 tons.

“This discovery marks a milestone in maritime archaeology,” said excavation leader Otto Uldum. “It is the largest cog known to us and offers a unique chance to study both the construction and daily life aboard the largest trading ships of the Middle Ages.”

The ship's frame was made of wood from the Netherlands

Cogs first appeared around the tenth century as a secure and efficient way to transport large quantities of goods, according to Artnet’s Min Chen. Their deep cargo holds outmatched Viking ships like knarrs, and their tall sides made them difficult to board during naval conflicts. These large vessels were built to travel from the Netherlands, past Denmark, and into the Baltic Sea. Despite their size, a cog could be handled by a relatively small crew.

“The cog transformed trade in northern Europe,” said Otto Uldum. “It allowed goods to be moved on a scale never seen before.”

Shipbuilders constructed cogs as large as possible to carry heavy or bulky items such as timber, bricks, salt, and other staples. While no cargo was found in Svælget 2, archaeologists did recover personal items from the crew, including shoes, combs, and rosary beads.

The museum notes that the ship is exceptionally well-preserved. Buried in sand, its starboard side was shielded from erosion, preserving much of the rigging—the ropes and chains used to manage sails, secure masts, and protect cargo. “This provides an unprecedented opportunity to understand how cogs were outfitted for sailing,” Uldum added.

A replica of the "Bremen cog," a ship built in 1380 and found wrecked in Germany in the 1960s

Svælget 2 features other exceptionally well-preserved elements. At the stern, archaeologists discovered extensive remains of a castle—a covered deck where the crew would have taken shelter. While medieval records show that castles were common on cogs, no physical examples had ever been found.

“We have plenty of drawings of castles, but they have never been found because usually only the bottom of the ship survives,” said Uldum. “This time we have the archaeological proof.”

The ship also contained the remains of a brick galley, where the crew prepared meals. Built from 200 bricks and 15 tiles, this fireproof galley allowed cooking over an open flame. Nearby, divers recovered bronze cooking pots, wooden dishes, ceramic bowls, and remnants of meat and fish.

Dendrochronology shows that Svælget 2 was constructed around 1410. Its planks came from Pomeranian oak in modern-day Poland, and its frame wood originated in the Netherlands. The ship’s size reflects the strength of the medieval northern European trading economy, requiring a society capable of financing, building, and outfitting such massive vessels to meet demand for imported goods, Uldum explains.

Europe experienced an agricultural boom in the centuries leading up to Svælget 2, with its population increasing from 18 million in the seventh century to over 70 million by the 14th century, enabling more international trade.

“Perhaps the find does not change the story we already know about medieval trade,” Uldum said, “but it shows that it was through ships like Svælget 2 that this trade occurred. We now know, undeniably, that cogs could reach this size—that the ship type could be pushed to this extreme.”

600-year-old Viking shipwreck is the largest of its kind

The medieval ‘cog’ was nearly 92 feet long and featured castles on its bow and stern.

Archaeologists in Denmark report that a Viking ship discovered near Copenhagen is the largest of its type ever found. Measuring nearly 92 feet in length, the 600-year-old vessel is also among the best-preserved examples of a cog—a “super ship” whose innovative design and cargo capacity revolutionized trade in medieval Europe.

“This discovery is a landmark for maritime archaeology,” said excavation leader Otto Uldum. He noted that the ship provides a “unique chance to study both its construction and daily life aboard the largest trading ships of the Middle Ages.”

Dubbed Svælget 2 after the channel where it was found, the vessel was longer than two school buses and almost as wide as one. Tree-ring analysis of the timber indicates it was built by Viking craftsmen in the Netherlands around 1410 CE. Buried under nearly 40 feet of sand and silt, the ship was shielded from the usual destructive effects of underwater conditions. Svælget 2 is so well-preserved that traces of its original rigging remain intact.

A 3D elevation map showing the remains of Svælget 2.

“It’s remarkable to find so much of the rigging intact. We’ve never seen this before, and it gives us a unique chance to reveal new insights into how cogs were outfitted for sailing,” said Uldum.

Studying Svælget 2’s rigging will allow archaeologists to understand how a relatively small crew managed such a large vessel on its many journeys.

“The discovery shows how complex challenges like rigging were handled on the largest cogs,” Uldum explained. “Rigging is crucial on a medieval ship—it allows control of the sails, secures the mast, and protects the cargo. Without it, the ship would be useless.”

The researchers also confirmed that some Viking cogs included tall wooden structures at the bow and stern, known as castles. While historical drawings had long depicted these features, no archaeological evidence had ever verified them—until now.

“We have plenty of illustrations of castles, but they’ve never been found because usually only the lower part of the ship survives,” said Uldum. “This discovery finally gives us archaeological proof.”

Despite its size, the cog required a relatively small crew to pilot.

At the stern castle, archaeologists uncovered a covered deck that offered the crew shelter and protection. Compared to other shipwrecks, Svælget 2 provides roughly 20 times more material for study.

“It’s not comfort by modern standards, but it’s a significant improvement over typical Viking Age ships, which had only open decks in all kinds of weather,” Uldum noted.

While the find doesn’t change our basic understanding of medieval maritime trade, Svælget 2 demonstrates the immense investment, resources, and technical expertise required to build such a vessel.

“We now know, beyond doubt, that cogs could reach this size—that this ship type could be expanded to such extremes,” Uldum said.

The wild reason ancient statues always have tiny p*nises, because I bet you’ve wondered

Every month, social media throws up all sorts of strange questions, like why towels have those odd lines or why ancient statues all have such small penises. These are things you rarely stop to think about—after all, why would you? But suddenly you realise you don’t actually know the answer.

While gazing at a statue in a museum during a holiday in Greece or Italy, you might have noticed the size of its penis and wondered about it. It’s a seemingly trivial detail you never really cared about—until now. Surprisingly, there is a reason, and it’s not because the sculptor ran out of stone.

In his 2016 book In Bed with the Ancient Greeks, British historian Paul Chrystal explained that, centuries ago when these statues were made, large penises were actually considered undesirable—a view completely opposite to today’s standards.

“Large penises were seen as vulgar and outside cultural norms, associated with the barbarians,” Chrystal wrote. “A small penis reflected Greek ideals of male beauty—it signified the highest culture and was a mark of civilisation.”

It was also linked to intelligence. Archaeologist Chaira told DW: “In ancient Greece and Rome, big genitals were considered unattractive. Sculptors depicted only small ones to signal that the man was a rational thinker who had his desires under control.”

In Greek comedy, fools were often shown with large penises as “a sign of stupidity,” Chrystal added—essentially an insult. So next time you find yourself staring at a random statue, you’ll know the reason behind this quirky detail.

Carnoustie Stone Age hall challenges view of Scotland’s early people

The find drew worldwide attention and may have altered ideas about the sophistication and abilities of Scotland’s ancient communities.

Last year, archaeologists announced the discovery of one of the largest prehistoric structures ever uncovered in Scotland: a 35-metre-long meeting hall that predates Stonehenge.

Erected by some of the earliest Stone Age farming groups around 6,000 years ago, the vast timber structure was described as a “monumental” discovery of international importance.

Nothing of comparable scale from this early period has previously been identified, and researchers noted that its form and construction seemed entirely unfamiliar when compared with assumptions about the people living there at the time.

The archaeologists who uncovered it have since shared further reflections on the site, offering new insight into a society otherwise lost to history.

The building was found during excavations carried out by GUARD Archaeology on behalf of Angus Council, ahead of work to construct new football pitches near Carnoustie High School.

A sword and spear from the much later Iron Age were also recovered at the site, suggesting that knowledge or memory of the hall may have persisted for generations.

The scale of the dig amazed archaeologists

Archaeologist Warren Bailie described the excavation as the “find of a lifetime.”

He said, “While we were uncovering prehistoric structures at the Carnoustie site, I’ll never forget the morning I got the call about a sword and spear decorated with gold. The team immediately recovered the hoard in a block and transported it to our Glasgow lab that same day. This is the sort of discovery archaeologists dream about—truly once in a lifetime. Another unforgettable moment was when Alan Hunter Blair, our Fieldwork Director, shared aerial images taken with his kite-cam.”

Bailie continued, “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—a rectangular structure so massive that it seemed impossible for it to be a Neolithic hall. But it turned out to be the largest of its kind ever found in Scotland.”

Dating to around 4,000 BC, the hall was constructed in a woodland clearing. Its walls were made from thick oak panels, and the roof was supported by enormous beams, making it an impressive structure.

Evidence suggests the hall may have been used for rituals, as tool “offerings” were discovered within its walls, and it remained in use for several centuries.

In addition to its extraordinary size, the site featured a smaller attached building, possibly serving as a preparation area, adding to its uniqueness.

An artist's impression of the site

Archaeologist Beverley Ballin Smith, co-author of a report on the find, explained: “What makes the Carnoustie halls unique in Scotland is the presence of a second hall built nearby at the same time. Later, part of its footprint was reused for a smaller hall, which is extremely rare. This shows continuity not only in architectural design but also in the ideas and meanings held by the community that built and used these structures.”

She noted another remarkable feature of the main hall: it seems to have been constructed without any earlier, simpler buildings leading up to it. “The long timber hall appears, at this time, as a fully formed monumental structure with no precursors in the Scottish landscape from the earlier Mesolithic period,” she said.

Ballin Smith added that the discovery challenges previous assumptions about these ancient communities, suggesting they were more sophisticated than the simple hunter-gatherer societies they are often portrayed as.

Some of the artefacts found at the site

Ms Ballin Smith explained: “The construction of these halls must have involved a community, including skilled woodworkers. They had the expertise to plan, design, and carry out the building, showing cognitive and practical abilities as sophisticated as our own.”

She added: “This challenges the typical view of hunter-gatherer societies. We often underestimate our ancestors’ skills and environmental knowledge. It’s also possible that the builders of the Carnoustie halls came from elsewhere, bringing with them ideas, knowledge, and beliefs developed in other places. We are only beginning to understand that our Neolithic heritage is far more complex than previously thought.”

She emphasized that the halls would have held great significance for those who built them: “To people of that time, the long timber hall was monumental—truly ‘out of this world.’”

Archaeologists Found an Entirely New Language Among the Ruins of an Ancient Empire

This story explores new discoveries at Turkey’s Boğazköy-Hattusha, the former capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire, a site renowned for its linguistic diversity. Archaeologists excavating the ruins uncovered a tablet written in an unfamiliar language that describes a foreign ritual. While scholars have not yet fully interpreted the text, they have determined that the language belongs to the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European family.

Hattusha, which served as the Hittite capital in north-central Turkey during the late Bronze Age from about 1650 to 1200 BCE, remains an exceptionally rich source of ancient written material. Excavations conducted over the last hundred years have revealed roughly 30,000 cuneiform tablets documenting the political, religious, and social life of Bronze Age Anatolia. Owing to its historical importance, the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Although the majority of the tablets are written in Hittite—the earliest recorded Indo-European language—others feature regional languages such as Luwian, Palaic, and Hattic.

Poison Detected on 60,000-Year-Old Arrowheads

Evidence suggests that the use of poison-tipped arrows dates back as far as 60,000 years ago, according to a report by Live Science. Researchers led by Sven Isaksson of Stockholm University identified traces of toxic substances on five quartz arrowheads found at South Africa’s Umhlatuzana rock shelter, a site excavated in 1985. One of the toxins, buphandrine, would have impaired hunted animals, allowing hunters to spend less time and energy pursuing prey. Another toxin, epibuphanisine, was found on only one arrowhead, though researchers believe both substances were likely applied to all of the weapons. Isaksson noted that the poisons may have come from the same plant, Boophone disticha, which grows in southern Africa and is still known today as a source of arrow poison. While humans have long used plants for food and toolmaking, Isaksson explained that this discovery highlights the intentional use of plant chemical properties.

Archaeologists Found a Perfectly Preserved Celtic Instrument of War

The trumpets were commonly used to inspire Celtic warriors, but Romans captured them as war trophies.

This story explores the discovery of an exceptionally rare Iron Age hoard in Norfolk, England, which included an animal-headed Celtic war trumpet. Such trumpets were used to rally and motivate Celtic fighters, while the Romans prized them as trophies taken from defeated enemies. The find may be connected to Queen Boudica’s revolt against Roman rule, as the location and dating of the hoard align with the period of her uprising. The boar, a powerful symbol of strength for Celtic warriors 2,000 years ago, appears both on the trumpet and on military standards uncovered at the site during preparatory work for a housing development.

The bronze trumpet, known as a carnyx, dates back around 2,000 years and was widely used by Celtic groups across Europe to intimidate opponents and inspire troops in battle. Its striking appearance also captivated the Romans, who frequently seized these instruments and displayed them as symbols of victory. According to Historic England, the Norfolk example is only the third carnyx ever found in Britain and ranks among the most complete specimens discovered anywhere in Europe.

Northumberland Stonehenge: Snow-covered Duddo Five Stones

Northumberland’s own version of Stonehenge has been photographed in striking fashion, blanketed in snow by a local landscape photographer.

The Duddo Five Stones, situated about four miles north of the village of Duddo and roughly eight miles south-west of Berwick-upon-Tweed, are among the county’s most impressive prehistoric features.

The images were taken by Jim Scott, a Northumberland photographer known for capturing rural scenery, during snowy conditions in December 2023. The stone circle is thought to date back to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, around 2000 BC, and is considered one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the region.

Although only five standing stones remain today, excavations carried out in the 1890s uncovered the sockets of two additional stones, suggesting the circle originally consisted of seven.

Occasionally called 'the singing stones' for the whistle that the formation creates on windy days

Constructed from locally sourced soft sandstone and laid out in a circle approximately 10 metres across, the monument commands wide-ranging views over the Cheviot Hills to the south and, in clear conditions, towards the Lammermuir Hills and the Scottish Borders to the north.

The function of the Duddo Five Stones remains uncertain, with archaeologists proposing various interpretations, including ritual or ceremonial activity, ancestor veneration, solar or astronomical alignment, or use as a site for seasonal assemblies.

Duddo Five Stones from afar

The stones are located on privately owned land, but visitors are permitted access along a footpath from the B6354 to the north of Duddo. Although there is no official public right of way, the path is clearly signposted and open for use.

Prehistoric arrow and Roman artefacts among items found during East Leeds Orbital project

A prehistoric arrowhead is set to be exhibited after being uncovered among a collection of historic artefacts during the construction of a dual carriageway in Leeds.

The 6,000-year-old flint spearhead was discovered while work was underway on the East Leeds Orbital Route, which opened in 2022.

According to the council, the leaf-shaped tool is exceptionally well preserved, with the fine marks left by ancient stone-sharpening techniques still clearly visible.

The artefact will be displayed alongside numerous other finds from the excavation that together span thousands of years of human activity.

These include a Bronze Age axe head dating back 4,000 years, a Roman-era bead, 18th-century nutcrackers, and an early Victorian clay pipe bowl decorated with a carved image of Britannia.

Also uncovered were pottery fragments from the Norman period, a post-medieval buckle, and remains linked to a former medieval village known as Morwick.

Archaeologists were taken on to excavate the site on the outskirts of Leeds during the construction of a major dual carriageway project

A museum curator has described the discoveries as a revealing glimpse into thousands of years of the city’s past and the landscape it occupies.

Leeds Museums and Galleries curator Kat Baxter said the collection stands out because of its remarkable breadth and depth.

“What makes this such a compelling archive is its sheer range and scale,” she explained.

“It offers a snapshot of the many different people and communities who have lived in this part of Leeds over millennia.

“From the Stone Age through to the medieval period, archaeology allows us to picture the lives of those who came before us. It also highlights how vital it is to protect archaeological archives, so future generations can understand the city’s heritage and the history beneath our feet.”

The excavations were carried out by a team of archaeologists commissioned during the four-year construction of a new bypass on the edge of the city.

The findings follow a separate discovery in 2022, when archaeologists uncovered the remains of more than 60 men, women and children from the Roman era near Garforth, also on the outskirts of Leeds.

According to the council, the latest collection of artefacts will be put on public display this spring at the Leeds Discovery Centre.

Leeds City Council’s Cllr Salma Arif said each object contributes a small but important piece to the wider story of east Leeds.

“When viewed together, they truly reflect just how rich and fascinating that story is,” she said.

“Gathering and preserving finds like these is a crucial part of what museums do, making sure our local heritage is safeguarded for future generations and that these objects are not lost to history.”

Chewing gum has no nutrition, but scientists say it does something unexpected to your brain

Chewing gum has long been seen as a nutritionally empty habit—useful for freshening breath or passing time but offering little else. It contains no significant nutrients and has rarely been linked to major health benefits. However, new scientific evidence suggests that the simple act of chewing may have unexpected effects on the brain.

Archaeological discoveries show that people chewed natural resins as far back as 8,000 years ago, and modern scientists are now examining whether the muscle movements involved in chewing can influence brain activity. In a 2025 review of more than three decades of brain imaging studies, researchers found that chewing gum not only engages jaw muscles but also activates parts of the brain involved in attention, alertness, and emotional regulation.

Brain‑wave data from EEG studies showed brief shifts linked to increased vigilance and what researchers describe as “relaxed concentration,” indicating that chewing might help the brain focus under certain conditions. Experts say this could explain why chewing gum sometimes feels calming or helpful during monotonous or mildly stressful tasks.

However, the benefits appear to be short‑lived and limited. While some lab studies found that people chewing gum during tasks like mental arithmetic or public speaking experienced lower anxiety, the positive effects did not hold in high‑stress situations, and there was no clear improvement in memory performance. Any boost in attention tended to disappear once chewing stopped.

Researchers emphasise that current evidence does not prove a direct link between the observed brain activity and long‑term improvements in mental performance or emotional wellbeing, and they call for further studies to explore longer‑term effects, the influence of gum flavours, and possible therapeutic applications.

Dentists also note a trade‑off: while sugar‑free gum can help reduce cavities by stimulating saliva, frequent chewing and acidic additives may contribute to enamel wear or jaw strain.

Unique Medieval Ivory Archer’s Ring Discovered at Hasankeyf

A rare and highly important archaeological find has been made at the ancient settlement of Hasankeyf, one of Anatolia’s most historically rich sites. As part of Türkiye’s Heritage for the Future Project (Geleceğe Miras Projesi), led by the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, archaeologists uncovered an exquisite Artuqid-period ivory archer’s ring (zihgir) dating from the 12th–13th centuries. This discovery sheds light on Artuqid court life, elite identity, and the sophistication of medieval Islamic craftsmanship.

Hasankeyf: A Historic Crossroads

Located in southeastern Turkey’s Batman province along the Tigris River, Hasankeyf occupied a strategic position linking Mesopotamia and Anatolia, making it a vital center for trade, culture, and defense. The city lies roughly 30 kilometers south of modern Batman and is accessible from Mardin and Diyarbakır.

The dramatic cliffs and river valley contributed to Hasankeyf’s continuous occupation for nearly 12,000 years, hosting Romans, Byzantines, Artuqids, Ayyubids, and Ottomans. Its rock-cut dwellings, bridges, palaces, and mosques reflect this layered history. Under the Artuqid dynasty, the city became a major urban, political, and cultural center, with palaces and fortifications exemplifying the rulers’ wealth and artistic sensibility. The newly discovered ring reinforces Hasankeyf’s role as a hub of elite life and artistic production in the medieval Islamic world.

Discovery at the Artuqid Great Palace

The ivory zihgir was found during the 2025 excavation season at the southeastern corner of the Great Palace, a structure closely tied to Artuqid rulers. Excavations are led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zekai Erdal of Mardin Artuklu University’s Department of Art History, with a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

Located at the intersection of the palace walls, the ring’s context suggests a direct link to the ruling elite. Its placement within a palatial setting indicates that it was not merely a functional military item but a personal object of significance, likely owned by a high-ranking member of the Artuqid court.

Small pearls are set in neat rows on both sides of the ring’s shield, while a turquoise stone is embedded into a diamond-shaped platform on the outer surface.

An Exceptional Ivory Zihgir

The archer’s ring is notable for both its ivory material and intricate decoration. In the medieval Islamic world, ivory was rare and expensive, typically reserved for luxury items that signified power and prestige. The Hasankeyf zihgir is further enhanced with pearls, turquoise, and silver inlays, showcasing an extraordinary level of craftsmanship.

Tiny pearls are arranged in neat rows along the sides of the ring’s shield, while a turquoise stone is set within a diamond-shaped platform on the outer surface. The finger opening features circular silver inlays, complemented by diagonal and triangular silver motifs along the body. At the center of the shield, a diamond-shaped silver design completes the composition, creating a harmonious geometric and decorative balance.

Archery, Status, and the Artuqids

In medieval Turkic and Islamic societies, archery was not only a military skill but also a sign of noble status. Worn on the thumb, the zihgir symbolized both martial ability and social rank. While simpler rings were used for practical purposes, highly decorated examples like the Hasankeyf piece functioned as status symbols, particularly within royal and aristocratic circles.

The use of precious materials and intricate design strongly indicates that this zihgir belonged to a member of the Artuqid dynasty or their close entourage. Experts suggest that it was likely intended for ceremonial display rather than practical use in battle.

A Unique Archaeological Discovery

Comparative research shows that no other pearl-inlaid zihgir has been recorded, making this find unique among known Islamic archer’s rings. While luxury examples crafted from valuable materials exist in collections such as the Topkapı Palace Museum Treasury, the Hasankeyf artifact represents an unmatched combination of form, material, and decoration.

The Artuqid ivory archer’s ring (zihgir) as discovered during the 2025 Hasankeyf excavations, before cleaning and restoration, showing its original archaeological context.

Preserving Hasankeyf’s Heritage

The discovery underscores the value of continued archaeological work at Hasankeyf and the role of national heritage projects in safeguarding Türkiye’s cultural legacy. As conservation and academic study progress, the Artuqid zihgir is poised to become an important reference for research on Islamic art, medieval court life, and archery traditions.

This rare artifact serves as a striking testament to Hasankeyf’s lasting historical importance and the artistic refinement of the Artuqid period.

Erich von Daeniken, Swiss author who popularised ancient‑alien theories, dies at 90

ZURICH — Erich von Däniken, the Swiss bestselling author who built a highly successful career around the widely rejected idea that extraterrestrials played a key role in human development, has died at the age of 90.

His 1968 book Chariots of the Gods? sold millions of copies, proposing that advanced alien visitors had repeatedly come to Earth and left traces of their presence in ancient structures such as Inca and Egyptian monuments, cave art, and other archaeological remains.

“It took courage to write this book, and it will take courage to read it,” the opening line declared. While acknowledging that experts would dismiss his claims as absurd, the book insisted that humanity’s distant past was filled with unknown gods who arrived in piloted spacecraft.

Theories Rejected by Scholars

Academics strongly criticised von Däniken’s ideas, labelling them pseudoscientific and publishing works that challenged his conclusions. In 1973, the German magazine Der Spiegel devoted a cover story to what it called “The Däniken Hoax.”

Despite this, his popularity remained undiminished. He published more than 40 books, appeared in television programmes and documentaries, and sold over 70 million copies worldwide, translated into more than 30 languages.

Before his rise to fame, von Däniken worked as a hotel manager in eastern Switzerland. A conviction for fraud resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. However, as Chariots of the Gods? gained global attention, he left prison as a literary sensation.

Even so, he never produced the decisive proof demanded by astronomer Carl Sagan’s principle that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

A 1974 New York Times article noted that von Däniken argued ancient civilizations possessed advanced astronomical knowledge because extraterrestrial visitors had taught them. This view extended to his doubts about whether societies such as the Egyptians or Easter Islanders could have constructed monumental works on their own. The newspaper described his reasoning as turning disbelief in ancient human capability into proof of alien intervention.

Criticism did little to deter him. “We owe it to our self-respect to be rational and objective,” he wrote, arguing that many ideas once dismissed as fantasy later became accepted reality.

Television adaptations of his work made him a familiar figure in Europe and the United States. In 2003, he opened a theme park called Mysteries of the World in Interlaken, though it closed after three years due to financial failure.

Expectation of an Alien Return

In writings on his website, von Däniken rejected being labelled an esoteric thinker, stating that his work aimed to expose what he saw as religious and scientific deception.

Drawing on ancient texts, he claimed that the so-called gods promised to return, predicting a future “god shock” that would disrupt both religion and science. He argued that the evidence clearly supported his views and that this conviction motivated his work.

The release of a major US government report on unidentified flying objects in July 2021, which did not exclude extraterrestrial explanations, renewed his optimism.

He told Neue Zürcher Zeitung that discussions of UFOs and alien life could no longer be dismissed outright. According to him, people would gradually accept possibilities once considered impossible.

“Once humanity is ready and accustomed to the idea that we are not alone in the universe, extraterrestrials will come,” he said, predicting their arrival within the next decade.

Roman Bone Box with No Known Parallels Discovered in Broadway Grave

Archaeologists in England have uncovered an extraordinary artefact that is changing our understanding of daily life and burial practices in Late Roman Britain. A rare, finely crafted bone box has been found in a Roman-era grave at the Milestone Ground site in Broadway, Worcestershire.

The excavation, led by Worcestershire Archaeology ahead of planned development in the north Cotswolds, revealed evidence of continuous human activity spanning around 8,000 years, from the Mesolithic through Roman occupation into the Anglo-Saxon period. Among the many finds, this Roman bone box stands out as the most remarkable.

A One-of-a-Kind Late Roman Artefact

The box, carefully placed in the grave of a young woman, remains in exceptional condition. Measuring 2.7 inches (68mm) long, 1.3 inches (33mm) wide, and 1.2 inches (30mm) deep, it is small yet highly detailed. It has a sliding lid and is decorated with a ring-and-dot pattern commonly associated with Roman items such as gaming dice.

Specialist analysis shows the box was carved from roe deer bone, highlighting the advanced craftsmanship and material knowledge of the period. Radiocarbon dating confirms the burial dates to the late Roman period, aligning with the decorative style.

Its uniqueness makes this find particularly significant, as no comparable bone box has been recorded, marking it as a one-of-a-kind Roman discovery in Britain.

Carved bone box with sliding lid removed.

Insights into Roman Life and Burial Customs

Archaeologists suggest the box may have been used to hold ointment, cosmetics, or a similar substance. Its careful placement in the grave indicates it was a valued personal item, either treasured by the woman during her life or symbolically important to those who buried her.

Jamie Wilkins, who led the excavation, called the find “extraordinary,” highlighting both the craftsmanship and condition of the box as well as the story it tells about the local community. He noted that he had never seen anything like it before, underlining its rarity and significance.

The burial provides important insight into personal identity, status, and ritual in Late Roman Britain, particularly shedding light on women’s lives, which are often underrepresented in the archaeological record.

Thousands of Years of History at Milestone Ground

The Roman bone box is one of many notable discoveries at Milestone Ground. Archaeologists uncovered evidence of prehistoric activity, Roman settlement, and Saxon occupation, demonstrating Broadway’s long history as a site of human habitation.

Broadway’s position along a major route across the Cotswolds escarpment likely contributed to its lasting importance. Over thousands of years, various communities were drawn to the area for trade, travel, and settlement, leaving behind a rich archaeological record beneath the modern village.

The excavation was commissioned and funded by Wychavon District Council as part of the planning process. Specialist research is ongoing, and once complete, all finds and records will be deposited with the county museum according to standard archaeological practice.

Featured on BBC’s Digging for Britain

The Roman bone box will be featured in episode three of the new series of Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts, airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 7 January 2026, with the Broadway site appearing on Wednesday 21 January.

This artefact not only showcases the skill of Roman craftsmen but also provides a rare personal connection to an individual who lived nearly 1,600 years ago, marking it as one of the most significant Roman archaeological discoveries in recent years.

Ancient Siberian Mummy Was an Inbred Shaman, DNA Reveals

The extreme cold of northeastern Siberia has an unusual effect on time: it preserves it almost perfectly. This is how archaeologists discovered the grave of a woman who died over 250 years ago, yet whose burial still vividly reflected her life. She had been interred in a hollowed tree trunk, dressed in striking clothing meant to be seen—most notably, a red wool dress crafted from imported blankets. Horses were buried alongside her, signaling that this was no ordinary burial; it proclaimed her significance.

Genetic analysis added another layer of intrigue. A study published in Nature revealed that the woman—known as UsSergue1 and believed to be one of the last Siberian shamans—was born to closely related parents, classified as second-degree relatives. Such close parental relatedness is rare in the graves studied, raising questions about her identity and role.

UsSergue1 lived in what is now Yakutia, one of the harshest environments ever inhabited by humans. She died in her 30s during the late 18th century, after Russian authorities had begun pressuring Indigenous Yakut communities to abandon shamanism for Christianity. Her burial, with ritual items and symbolic animals, suggests that her community resisted these pressures.

“We interpret UsSergue1 as an embodiment of her clan,” explained Ludovic Orlando, a molecular geneticist at France’s National Center for Scientific Research. The lavish burial may have been intended to preserve the clan’s spiritual identity amid external control.

The genetic findings were particularly striking: among 122 Yakut individuals from graves dated between the 14th and 19th centuries, UsSergue1 displayed the strongest signs of parental relatedness. Orlando emphasized that this was not typical for shamans, indicating her lineage had significance beyond her spiritual role.

Placed in broader context, the study shows that despite centuries of Russian presence, the Yakuts’ genetic heritage has remained remarkably stable. “Our analyses reveal that Yakut genetic composition has stayed consistent from the 16th century to today,” said co-author Perle Guarino-Vignon. The region’s harsh climate likely hindered large-scale settlement and conquest. Even the oral microbiome, examined through ancient dental plaque, remained largely unchanged over centuries of external influence.

Wallpaper* Best Use of Material 2026: Beit Bin Nouh, Saudi Arabia, by Shahira Fahmy

Beit Bin Nouh by Shahira Fahmy is a captivating rebirth of a traditional mud brick home in AlUla, Saudi Arabia - which won it a place in our trio of Best Use of Material winners at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2026

Once home to over 1,000 people at its peak, the ancient Arabian city of AlUla was left deserted in the 1980s after residents relocated to a newly built town centre nearby. The site contains hundreds of mud-brick homes clustered around a fortress dating back to the tenth century, set within a valley now celebrated for its rich archaeological heritage. This includes the Nabataean city of Hegra—Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site—the ancient kingdom capital of Dadan, and the rock inscriptions found at Jabal Ikmah.

Discover Beit Bin Nouh, Saudi Arabia, by Shahira Fahmy

The old town has become the focus of a heritage-led regeneration project spearheaded by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). The initiative aims to revive the area through sensitive conservation efforts and the introduction of new cultural activities. Tucked within the intricate network of narrow alleyways that date back to the 12th century is Dar Tantora, a hotel restored in 2021 by Egyptian architect Shahira Fahmy, who employed traditional building techniques and passive cooling strategies in the project.

While she was working on Dar Tantora, Fahmy was contacted by a long-standing client from a family renowned for major developments across the Middle East. He wanted to transform a ruin in the old town into a private residence. “He told me that I wouldn’t truly understand the place unless I visited it,” Fahmy recalls. “No drawing could convey what exists there.”

The site was essentially an empty space created from the remains of two former houses. Locally, it was known as Beit Bin Nouh, named after the family who once used the area as an open courtyard for social gatherings.

The mud-brick homes shared a common design seen throughout the old town. The ground floor typically contained three rooms for work, cooking, and storage, while the upper level was reserved for sleeping and family activities. This straightforward layout was closely adapted to the local environment. Thick stone foundations protected the buildings from flash floods, while mud bricks made from local soil, clay, and straw helped insulate the interiors. Small windows reduced heat gain, narrow alleyways provided shade, and inner courtyards allowed air to circulate and cool the spaces.

Fahmy’s team carefully studied the site’s topography, mapping original floor levels, thresholds, and movement patterns to ensure the reconstructed buildings honored the logic of the old homes. “It was technical, philosophical, and emotional. The bricks had to come from AlUla, and making them connects you to the labor of those who originally built this town,” Fahmy explains. Her experience with past restoration projects, especially in Cairo, has honed her sensitivity to historic architecture and cultural context.

Every material and design decision reflects the building’s connection to its environment and traditional construction techniques. Stone was quarried from RCU-approved sites; tamarisk wood beams and door frames were treated with natural oils instead of chemicals; and ceilings were lined with woven palm fronds to allow airflow. Modern infrastructure was kept outside the historic walls, with pipes and wiring wrapped in palm rope, while parts of the ancient qanat system of underground water channels were restored to manage drainage and conserve water.

“The first lesson was about sustainability,” Fahmy explains. “We learned from the site itself—how water was managed, the materials used, and how people adapted to the climate.” Consequently, Beit Bin Nouh stands as a remarkable example of how traditional earth construction, guided by the logic of the original site, can bring a historic home into the modern era while preserving its character.

Experts highlight neglectof ancient materials

Scholars and researchers convened in Lucknow for a three-day annual conference focused on Second Urbanisation, where they examined key developments in India’s early history. The discussions highlighted archaeological investigations from regions such as Nalanda, Bhadohi, and the Ramganga river basin, alongside studies on Buddhist monastic traditions and megalithic cultures near Shravasti.

Other presentations explored the continuity of Indo-Islamic architecture in Old Delhi, the structural strength and earthquake resistance of the Khajuraho temples, and ancient practices related to soil and environmental conservation. Speakers also raised concerns about the ongoing neglect of many historical sites, citing issues such as vandalism, poor documentation, and insufficient preservation of unexplored locations.

The conference was organised by the Department of Anthropology at the University of Lucknow, in collaboration with several archaeological organisations, and was supported by the Archaeological Survey of India. Experts stressed that combining environmental studies, material culture, and living traditions is crucial for understanding how ancient urban centres were established, sustained, and adapted over time. They also emphasised the need for interdisciplinary research and stronger conservation efforts to protect India’s archaeological heritage.

Stunning UK village 'perfect for recharging' has 'hidden gem' attraction

The picturesque medieval village in North Yorkshire has stunning historic landmarks and beautiful vistas - perfect for a peaceful weekend escape.

It's the perfect getaway for those seeking tranquillity and beauty

A charming village in North Yorkshire is home to a hidden treasure that visitors simply can’t resist. Nestled in the region’s stunning countryside, this tranquil spot has earned praise as the perfect escape for anyone looking to unwind and recharge—and it’s easy to see why.

The medieval village offers a unique glimpse into England’s rich history, all while showcasing stunning attractions and breathtaking views. Appleton-le-Moors, a village and civil parish in the North York Moors National Park, lies about two and a half miles northeast of Kirkbymoorside. It is also conveniently close to Pickering and blends seamlessly into the neighboring villages of Spaunton and Lastingham, perched on the edge of the open moorland.

With a modest population of just 161, according to the 2021 census, Appleton-le-Moors derives its name from an Old English term meaning “apple orchard.” Often cited as a near-perfect example of a planned village in the UK, it boasts a strong sense of community. Perched on a hillside above a bend in the River Seven, the village is surrounded by fertile farmland crisscrossed with footpaths—making it a dream destination for walkers seeking picturesque landscapes.

Mentioned in the renowned Domesday Book, Appleton-le-Moors has preserved its traditional medieval layout and remains a point of archaeological interest. The village is a treasure trove of historical finds, including a medieval oven, flint tools, and Roman coins.

Hidden gem church

The Rose Window is the church's most breathtaking feature

The village is also renowned for its historic Christ Church, often described as “the little gem of moorland churches.” This Grade I listed 19th-century building showcases exquisite craftsmanship and was designed by J. L. Pearson, the architect behind Britain’s famous Truro Cathedral. Christ Church reflects Pearson’s signature French Gothic style, featuring intricate decoration throughout. Its most celebrated feature is the Rose Window, inspired by the White Rose of York, with stained-glass panels depicting Christian virtues such as Hope, Faith, and Charity. The church is further distinguished by a tower crowned with a graceful spire.

The Village Hall

The Moors Inn is a must visit for food and drinks

Another notable landmark in Appleton-le-Moors is the Village Hall, also designed by J. L. Pearson. This Grade II listed building, originally a school, was constructed in 1867 and reflects Pearson’s Victorian Gothic style. Following major refurbishment in 1999, the hall now serves as a central hub for village life, embodying the spirit of the community.

Visitors should also make time for the village’s most famous establishment, The Moors Inn, which has welcomed guests since the 17th century.

The Reading Room
Another key feature of Appleton-le-Moors is the Reading Room, built in 1911 at a cost of £75. The project was financed by Joseph Page, a local butler at Appleton Hall, with the intention of providing villagers a social space where they could gather without the influence of alcohol.

Archaeologists Found a 7,500-Year-Old Seal From a Surprisingly Advanced Society

One small artifact opened up a world of discovery of a Neolithic civilization with a remarkably advanced social structure.

Neolithic Stone Seal Sheds Light on Early Social Organization

Archaeologists at Tadım Fortress in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have uncovered a 7,500-year-old stone seal, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of Neolithic people. The artifact predates the Urartu kingdom and suggests that complex social structures, economic practices, and personal identification systems were emerging long before more widely known ancient civilizations.

While the exact use of the seal is unknown, it may have functioned as:

• A marker of property or ownership

• A personal identifier

• A tool for agricultural trade, similar to another local seal used in grain transactions

These possibilities indicate early administrative and economic sophistication in the region. The seal is part of a broader excavation overseen by the Elazığ Museum and Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, under Türkiye’s Heritage for the Future Project.

Other discoveries at Tadım Fortress highlight ritual and social practices:

• A recently discovered temple dating to the Late Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age (~6,000 years ago) features a stone altar with a blood channel, showing evidence of animal and human sacrifice.

• Artifacts from Byzantine, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods lie above the Neolithic layers, showing the site’s long history of occupation.

Governor Numan Hatipoğlu remarked that the findings demonstrate the region was not only inhabited early but also had sophisticated cultural, economic, and social practices, influencing later civilizations.

In short, this small stone seal provides a window into advanced social and economic life in Neolithic Türkiye, revealing that organized societies with property markers and trade mechanisms existed thousands of years before the classical civilizations of the region.

Common Childhood Virus Detected in Iron Age Remains

Ancient viral genomes reveal deep history of human herpesviruses

A team of researchers from the University of Vienna, University of Tartu, Cambridge University, and University College London has reconstructed the genomes of human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) from ancient European human remains.

Today, HHV-6B infects around 90% of children by age two, causing roseola infantum, or “sixth disease,” which involves fever and a rash. Beyond causing illness, HHV-6 viruses can integrate into human chromosomes, remaining dormant; these inherited forms are present in roughly 1% of modern people.

The team analysed nearly 4,000 ancient and historic human remains, detecting HHV-6A/B genomes in 11 individuals. The oldest sample came from a girl buried in Italy between 1100 and 600 B.C. Both HHV-6A and HHV-6B were found in remains from medieval England, Belgium, and Estonia, and the inherited form of HHV-6B appeared in several individuals from England.

Meriam Guellil of the University of Vienna notes that “modern genetic data suggest HHV-6 may have been evolving with humans since our migration out of Africa. These ancient genomes now provide the first concrete proof of their presence in the deep human past.”

This research offers a remarkable window into the long-term relationship between humans and viruses, showing that HHV-6 has been circulating and evolving alongside our species for thousands of years.

Arrow tips found in South Africa are the oldest evidence of poison use in hunting

The earliest known evidence for the use of arrow poison was long believed to come from Egypt, dating back about 4,000 years. This took the form of a black, toxic residue found on bone arrowheads in a tomb at the Naga ed Der archaeological site.

New discoveries from southern Africa are now challenging that view.

Recent research has identified poison residues on stone arrow tips from South Africa dating to around 60,000 years ago, making this the oldest direct evidence of poisoned arrows used for hunting.

These findings add to existing knowledge about the technical skills of early African bowhunters. Such expertise may have played a role in the long-term success of our species in the region and later supported the spread of Homo sapiens beyond Africa.

The evidence comes from Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The site was partially excavated in the 1980s to protect archaeological material at risk from construction of the N3 highway linking Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Two of the authors (Marlize Lombard and Anders Högberg) at Umhlatuzana rock shelter, where the poisoned arrow tips were excavated.

Umhlatuzana is recognised as a significant Stone Age site where hunter-gatherers were living at least 70,000 years ago. It is also one of the few locations in southern Africa that shows evidence of continued human occupation until just a few thousand years ago.

In southern Africa, there is a long tradition of hunting with poisoned arrows. For instance, South African and Swedish archaeologists have identified residues on arrow tips dating from a few hundred to about 1,000 years ago, revealing the use of different poison recipes.

More recently, three bone arrowheads kept inside a poison-filled bone container were reported from Kruger Cave in South Africa and dated to nearly 7,000 years ago. This discovery pushed back direct molecular evidence for the use of arrow poison to around 3,000 years earlier than the Egyptian examples.

Earlier traces of poison had been identified on a stick and in a lump of beeswax from Border Cave in KwaZulu-Natal, dating between 35,000 and 25,000 years ago. However, these were considered indirect indications of early hunting poisons.

As a researcher in cognitive and Stone Age archaeology, I examined artefacts from Umhlatuzana almost 20 years ago and identified use-wear and adhesive residues on some quartz backed microliths—small, shaped stone tools—dating to around 60,000 years ago. This suggested they were likely used as arrow tips.

More recently, Sven Isaksson of the archaeology laboratory at Stockholm University has identified molecular traces of toxic plant alkaloids—chemical compounds known to be used as arrow poisons—on several of these artefacts.

Left: Front and back of a 60,000-year-old poisoned arrow tip from Umhlatuzana. Middle: Two micrographs of the sharp, top edge that shows impact scars and the direction in which the arrow tip was fixed in the shaft. Right: A 2,000-year-old arrow head with stone tip fixed in the same way as the arrow tip from Umhlatuzana.

Poison from indigenous plants

The new study identified the toxic alkaloids buphandrine and epibuphanisine on five of the ten arrow tips analysed from Umhlatuzana. These same compounds were also detected on bone arrowheads collected by Swedish travellers in southern Africa about 250 years ago, indicating that the same type of arrow poison was used in the region for thousands of years.

Both alkaloids occur in several southern African plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, which grow from bulbs. However, the plant most clearly documented as a source of arrow poison is Boophone disticha, commonly known as gifbol (poison bulb). Its bulb produces a highly toxic sap.

The presence of these specific alkaloids on half of the quartz arrow tips examined is unlikely to be accidental. Ancient hunter-gatherers would have been well aware of the poisonous properties of gifbol. Evidence from the region shows that by around 77,000 years ago, people already understood how to use certain aromatic plants for their insecticidal and larvicidal effects in bedding. This suggests they would also have known to handle gifbol carefully and avoid keeping it in living areas.

Modern contamination can be ruled out, as substances containing buphandrine and epibuphanisine are not used in commercial products or in archaeological conservation.

Gifbol bulbs are remarkably resilient, capable of surviving for a century or more despite droughts and frequent fires. The plant is native to South Africa and thrives in grassland, savanna and Karoo environments. It is widespread across southern, eastern and northern South Africa and grows within a day’s walk of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter today. For these reasons, it is very likely that the plant was also available to the site’s inhabitants tens of thousands of years ago.

The toxic compounds in the bulb are chemically stable. They break down very slowly, even in wet conditions, and bind well to mineral surfaces such as stone arrow tips. This stability helps explain how traces of the poison were able to survive on the artefacts for around 60,000 years.

Illustration of gifbol being prepared for use in hunting.

Implications of the world’s oldest known poisoned arrow tips

The quartz arrow tips coated with gifbol poison now constitute the earliest direct evidence of poisoned arrow use, not only in southern Africa but anywhere in the world, dating back 60,000 years.

This discovery shows that early bowhunters had sophisticated knowledge systems that allowed them to recognise poisonous plants, extract their toxic substances, and apply them effectively to weapons. They also needed an understanding of animal behaviour and ecology, knowing that poison would act gradually and weaken prey over time, making it possible to track and eventually capture it through persistence hunting.

Using a weapon whose effects were delayed and not immediately visible points to complex cognitive abilities. It required self-control, as hunters had to wait for the poison to take effect, as well as advanced planning, abstract thinking, and an understanding of cause and effect. Because poison works chemically rather than through direct physical force, its use reflects a high level of conceptual reasoning.

Beyond establishing the earliest known example of poisoned arrow hunting, these findings deepen our understanding of human adaptation, technological and behavioural sophistication, and the development of modern human behaviour in southern Africa.