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  • Two Sphinxes Depicting King Tut’s Grandfather Discovered in Egypt

    Two Sphinxes Depicting King Tut’s Grandfather Discovered in Egypt


    Archaeologists are restoring the huge stone statues found half-submerged in water at the burial site of Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III

    Archeologists Discover Two Sphinxes measure 26 feet in length in Egyptian  Ruins - Arkeonews
    The head of one of the large sphinxes discovered in the funerary complex for Amenhotep III. Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
    Archaeologists in Egypt have unearthed the remains of two large sphinxes at an ancient temple in Luxor, reports Tessa Solomon for ARTnews. The statues, each measuring 26 feet long, were found half-submerged in water at a shrine for Amenhotep III, the grandfather of King Tutankhamun and a pharaoh who ruled Egypt from 1390 B.C.E. to 1353 B.C.E.

    A team of Egyptian and German researchers discovered the artifacts while restoring the ancient ruler’s funerary site, known as the “Temple of Millions of Years,” per a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The team also found three black granite busts of Sekhmet, a goddess of war who took the form of a lioness, and remnants of columns and walls with engravings of ceremonial scenes.

    Lead archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian tells Muhammed Magdy of Al-Monitor that the artifacts were located near an important processional road used at ceremonies and celebrations during the pharaoh’s lifetime. The wall reliefs featured images of Heb-Sed, a major festival held by Amenhotep at the 30-year mark of his reign and every three years thereafter to honor his long rule, which spanned nearly 40 years.

    Pair of sphinxes depicting King Tutankhamun's grandfather are discovered in  Egypt | Daily Mail Online

    “This is one of the most important feasts for ancient Egyptians that celebrates the end of the 30th year of the king’s ascension to the throne,” Abdel Rahim Rihan, research director at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, tells Al-Monitor. “The depictions of this festival show the king on his throne in full strength, with the crowds around him happy and excited, waiting for his speech promising them another 30-year reign full of prosperity and opulence. On this occasion, the king would also make offerings to the gods.”

    Researchers say the two limestone sphinxes depicted Amenhotep in a mongoose headdress, sporting a beard and broad necklace, per the statement. During the restoration process, Sourouzian and her team also found an inscription on the chest of one the sphinxes that reads, “the beloved of the god Amun-Ra,” the royal name of Amenhotep.

    During his peaceful and prosperous reign, Amenhotep III built his mortuary temple in the ancient city of Thebes along the Nile River, now modern-day Luxor. The massive funerary complex stretches seven football fields in length, covering an area nearly the size of Vatican City, as Andrew Lawler reported for the Smithsonianin 2007. In its time, it was one of the largest, most ornate religious structures in the world, Lawler adds, filled with numerous statues, stone reliefs and other artifacts.

    Two Sphinxes Depicting King Tut's Grandfather Discovered in Egypt | Smart  News| Smithsonian Magazine

    Due to its close proximity to the Nile, the pharaoh’s temple has been flooded several times over history, and further destruction was caused by an earthquake around 1200 B.C.E., according to Al-Monitor.

    The dig was part of the Colossi of Memnon and Amenhotep III Temple Conservation Project, a joint effort between the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the German Archaeological Institute to excavate and conserve the site since 1998. Archaeologists have made efforts over the past two decades to dry more areas of the massive complex, but the process is lengthy. Researchers say they will continue to work to restore the temple as well as the Colossi of Memnon, two gigantic stone statues of Amenhotep III that mark the entrance to the funerary complex and resemble the recently found sphinxes.

    “Our main task of this project is to gradually document, reassemble and restore the last remains of this temple, then display these monumental remains in their original places,” Sourouzian tells Al-Monitor.

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  • The Extreme Measures the Germans Used to Effectively Execute Their Blitzkrieg Tactics

    The Extreme Measures the Germans Used to Effectively Execute Their Blitzkrieg Tactics

    Photo Credit: 1. Bettmann / Getty Images 2. Jan Wellen / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

    Blitzkrieg – “lightning war” – was a German military strategy employed during the Second World War. The tactic was refined by the Wehrmacht, and played a crucial role in Germany’s early success at the start of the conflict. A combination of speed, surprise and overwhelming force characterized the military’s advances, with the goal being to achieve swift, decisive victories. To aid in this, the advancing troops were issued Pervitin tablets.

    Not all substances were viewed equally in Germany

    Pervitin. (Photo Credit: Thomas Springer / Wikimedia Commons CC0 1.0)
    The German government held strict anti-drug views, with their ideology centered on strong, healthy people. Drug users weren’t necessary to win the war, with the Führer once stating, “We don’t need weak people, we want only the strong!” That being said, not all drugs were viewed equally. Opium, for instance, was believed to give nothing to the user, while methamphetamine would make a strong person even stronger.

    In 1938, the latter was marketed as Pervitin. Available as a nonprescription drug, it quickly took the nation by storm and was soon noticed by Dr. Otto Friedrich Ranke, director of the Institute for General and Defense Physiology at Berlin’s Academy of Military Medicine.

    Ranke tested the drug on 90 university students. It was found that, when taking it, users had heightened concentration, self-confidence and an increased willingness to take risks. It also reduced hunger, a need for sleep and sensitivity to pain. Talking about the results, Ranke commented that Pervitin would be “an excellent substance for rousing a weary squad…We may grasp what far-reaching military significance it would have if we managed to remove the natural tiredness using medical methods.”

    In September 1939, following the completion of these trials, it was decided Pervitin could help Germany win World War II.

    German servicemen were given Pervitin

    German soldiers walking along a dirt path

    German soldiers during the invasion of Poland, 1939. (Photo Credit: STF / AFP / Getty Images)

    Pervitin was believed to be the “ideal war drug,” and it quickly earned a number of nicknames. Luftwaffe airmen called it “Stuka-Tabletten” (Stuka-Tablets), “Fliegerschokolade” (Flyer’s Chocolate) and “Pilot’s Salt.” The service’s commander even had his own name associated with the substance, given his known drug addiction.

    Outside of the Luftwaffe, Pervitin was referred to as “Panzerschokolade” (Tanker’s Chocolate) by infantrymen.

    The Temmler-Werke factory produced up to 833,000 tablets a day. Between April and July 1940, over 35 million three-milligram doses of Pervitin were produced and given to the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe.

    Pervitin had a number of side effects

    Panzerkampfwagen IIIs and light-armored half-track vehicles driving down a hill

    Panzerkampfwagen IIIs and light-armored half-tracks, 1942. (Photo Credit: Dieck / German Federal Archives / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 de)
    Germany’s blitzkrieg tactics and methamphetamine use went hand-in-hand. These advances, which saw German forces sprint across Europe, allowed those taking part to keep up on limited sleep, which would have slowed them down. Medical historian Peter Steinkamp once wrote, “Blitzkrieg was guided by methamphetamine. If not to say that Blitzkrieg was founded on methamphetamine.”

    However, it didn’t take long for side effects to be noticed. These and withdrawal symptoms made the Wehrmacht cut back on the use of Pervitin in 1940. A year later, it was restricted even further, with civilian use requiring a prescription and the military keeping a tight control over its stocks. Soldiers who received doses were only given a couple of tablets at a time and told not to use them in combat.

    Łukasz Kamieński, a historian, once commented, “A soldier going to battle of Pervitin usually found himself unable to perform effectively for the next day or two. Suffering from a drug hangover and looking more like a zombie than a great warrior, he had to recover from the side effects.”

    The behavior of each serviceman was different. Some became violent, and that would sometimes manifest in their being overly violent toward their enemies or civilians, while others actually attacked officers. Despite this, Pervitin was readily available to the German public after the war, either by prescription or on the black market. It wasn’t until the 1970s and ’80s that it stopped being prescribed, and, after the reunification of Germany, it was made illegal.

  • Tony Romo explains the reason he calls Taylor Swift Travis Kelce’s wife on the telecasts

    Tony Romo explains the reason he calls Taylor Swift Travis Kelce’s wife on the telecasts

    The pair are not yet married despite rumors suggesting it’s close

    Kelce and Swift

    Kelce and SwiftJulio CortezLAPRESSE

    Tony Romo clarified that his comment calling Taylor Swift the wife of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Travis Kelce was just a joke and that people cannot seem to tell the difference between a joke and a statement.

    Romo made the comment whilst working for CBS Sports alongside Jim Nantz, calling Swift Travis Kelce‘s wife which fans have taken a grievance to for two different reasons. One is that the pair are factually not married, despite rumors saying it could happen in the summer of this year.

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    Can Taylor Swift make it to the Super Bowl LVIII from her concert in Tokyo?

    Whilst a second is that Swift is far more famous than Kelce so by reducing her legacy to being the “wife” of a man, it diminishes her achievements and can be interpreted as a form of sexism or patriarchy in action.

    But Romo was quite to clear that he’s just poking fun at the situation and that it isn’t anything more than a joke, whilst accepting that people do seem to be confused about the extent knowledge he has on their relationship.

    “It’s a joke,” Romo said, reported by Brendon Kleen. “I know sometimes people don’t think so.

    “Sometimes the humor doesn’t go over as well. But I think people take to it… People come up to me all the time and they say, ‘what do you know? Do you think they’re going to be (married)?’ And everything.”

    Politicians looking for legal action against AI

    One of the bigger news stories of late January was the artificially generated images of Swift performing sexual acts at Chiefs‘ games, a form of pornography.

    She has been recommended to take action against the perceived creators, Celeb Jihad, by an attorney showing how dangerous it is to create what some might think as “harmless” or “obviously fake” images and news.

    Thus, with legal action seemingly set to begin, politicians are also getting in on the act to try to prevent this from happening again in the future.

    Representative Joseph Morelle, a Democrat from New York, has already filed action in the form of, “Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act” in May 2023 and has gained sponsors to get control of this serious problem.

  • Jason Kelce surprises in the Pro Bowl with a throw few thought he could pull off

    Jason Kelce surprises in the Pro Bowl with a throw few thought he could pull off

    The Eagles center wowed those in attendance

    Jason Kelce

    Jason Kelce

    Jason Kelce is emerging as one of the most popular players in the NFL due to his care-free, eccentric way of living. The Philadelphia Eagles star may be edging ever closer to the end of his career but he is determined to have fun in the meantime, as he demonstrated with his antics at the Pro Bowl on Thursday.

    The 36-year-old participated in the ‘Skills Showdown’ snap shot game on night one, in which centers and long snappers were given the opportunity to prove how accurate they are. While most would choose to accumulate as many points as possible, Kelce gave himself a challenge.

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    Jason Kelce Steals the Show with Bold Play at Pro Bowl 2024

    Every football Kelce snapped during the competition was aimed towards the middle hole on the board, which was the smallest of the five holes and offered the biggest reward of five points.

    Time and time again, Kelce would get close to popping the ball through before narrowly missing out. He was clearly frustrated at getting so close to the slot, but at long last, Kelce managed to squeeze one of them through the hole as the clock ticked down.

    That will give him a confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s Pro Bowl Championship game, which could prove to be one of Kelce‘s last in the NFL.

    The veteran has spent all 13 of this seasons in football with the Eagles and reportedly told teammates their defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be his last.

    Jason Kelce’s future still unclear

    Kelce recently clarified that he is yet to make a decision on his playing career, and what remains clearer than ever is that he won’t consider working for a team outside of his beloved Philadelphia.

    In fact, he has even suggested he would welcome the chance to continue working with the Eagles after his retirement, hinting at a possible future role.

    “I still want to be involved in the organization and still want to be a part of it, regardless of what the decision is,” Kelce said of his possible retirement.

    “Because I don’t want to ever feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these achievements and these accolades and these opportunities that largely represent entire cities and fan bases and organizations. It’s too good a feeling to pass up.”

  • Fabolous REVEALS Ray J Tried To Set Him Up To Be R@PED By DIDDY?!

    Fabolous REVEALS Ray J Tried To Set Him Up To Be R@PED By DIDDY?!

    Ray J’s Alleged Threat to Fabolous Reveals Dark Secrets and Diddy’s Involvement

    Ray J Calls Out Diddy Over Kanye West Spat | HipHopDX

    In a shocking revelation, a recording has surfaced where Ray J allegedly threatens to arrange a sexual assault on rapper Fabolous. The feud between Ray J and Fabolous dates back over a decade, originating from a house party video that mocked Ray J’s singing performance. The recent controversy has unveiled unsettling connections, raising questions about Diddy’s involvement in the whole ordeal.

    Ray J claimed that Diddy played a role in instigating the beef, suggesting that Diddy encouraged him to confront Fabolous over the disrespectful incident. Ray J’s menacing threat in the recording has sparked speculation that he might have been referring to Diddy himself, especially given their past connections and the nature of the comments.

    Ray J Reacts To Diddy's Remarks Seemingly About Kanye West

    The narrative takes a darker turn when considering Diddy’s questionable behavior around Fabolous. In a recent Drink Champs episode, Diddy repeatedly referred to Fabolous as “Daddy” and pressured him to answer uncomfortable questions. Fabolous seemed visibly uncomfortable and even terrified in Diddy’s presence, fueling rumors of unsettling incidents at Diddy’s parties.

    The controversy further deepens with Fabolous confessing that he once had to sneak out of a Diddy party due to the wild and potentially dangerous atmosphere. Fans speculate that Ray J’s threat may have triggered Fabolous, causing him to avoid Diddy’s parties out of fear.

    The unfolding saga raises disturbing questions about the dynamics within the hip-hop industry, with allegations of threats, potential sa, and secretive parties involving influential figures. As the story continues to unravel, fans are left pondering the truth behind Ray J’s threat, Diddy’s role, and the underlying secrets that may be hidden within the music industry’s elite circles.

    Video:

     

    Exclusive article and written by Sonrss! DO NOT COPY IN ANY FORM

  • HOT NEWS: Patrick Mahomes’ mom shares cryptic message on social media after her daughter-in-law Brittany was called out for her ‘high horse’ behavior following Chiefs’ AFC title win

    HOT NEWS: Patrick Mahomes’ mom shares cryptic message on social media after her daughter-in-law Brittany was called out for her ‘high horse’ behavior following Chiefs’ AFC title win


    Raпdi Mahomes, the mother of Patrick Mahomes, has posted a mysterioυs message oп social media, followiпg receпt atteпtioп oп her daυghter-iп-law Brittaпy for her behavior dυriпg the Chiefs’ AFC Champioпship postgame celebratioпs.

    After Kaпsas City’s 17-10 victory over the Raveпs, cameras captυred Brittaпy, aloпgside her Chiefs qυarterback hυsbaпd, oп the tυrf at M&T Baпk Stadiυm iп Baltimore. She was seeп askiпg a stadiυm employee, ‘Where do we go from here?’ while makiпg a circυlar motioп with her fiпger.

    Now, Raпdi has shared a message oп her Iпstagram Story iп respoпse to the viral momeпt iпvolviпg Brittaпy, thoυgh its exact coпtext remaiпs υпclear.

    ‘NEVER WORRY aboυt who will be offeпded if yoυ speak the TRUTH. Worry aboυt who will be misled, deceived & destroyed if yoυ doп’t,’ read the message.

    Brittaпy, who married Patrick iп March 2022, also posted a cryptic message oп her social media oп Wedпesday.

     

     

    ‘I take rυmors as a complimeпt. The fact that yoυ’re briпgiпg my пame oпto tables I doп’t sit at shows yoυr obsessioп. Stay bothered,’ read Brittaпy’s message oп her Iпstagram Stories.

    Despite the receпt drama, the Mahomes family celebrated Patrick’s foυrth Sυper Bowl appearaпce iп five seasoпs with the Chiefs oп Sυпday.

    Raпdi shared a photo featυriпg herself, her daυghter Mia, her soп Jacksoп, Brittaпy, aпd the latest additioп to the Chiefs’ faп base, Taylor Swift, who is datiпg the team’s star tight-eпd, Travis Kelce.

    ‘Chiefs headed to Sυper Bowl!! My team! My family!,’ Raпdi captioпed her Iпstagram post.

    She also expressed her pride iп her eldest soп after a challeпgiпg seasoп that saw the Chiefs eпter the postseasoп as the AFC’s No. 3 seed, behiпd the Raveпs aпd Bυffalo Bills—two teams that Kaпsas City defeated iп the playoffs.

    ‘I caп hoпestly say I caп’t remember a time wheп yoυ didп’t have a ball iп yoυr haпd or somethiпg yoυ waпted to play catch with. Easter egg, gυm ball, or eveп socks. I’m extremely proυd of yoυ, aпd I admire yoυr hard work aпd dedicatioп. I love yoυ aпd am so proυd. Eпjoy every momeпt, soп,’ Raпdi wrote.

    Mahomes secυred his first Sυper Bowl victory iп Febrυary 2020 wheп the Chiefs defeated the 49ers, 31-20. The followiпg year, Kaпsas City fell short agaiпst the Tampa Bay Bυccaпeers, led by Tom Brady, with a 31-9 loss. However, they boυпced back to wiп last year’s Sυper Bowl agaiпst the Eagles, with a score of 38-35.

    This year’s Sυper Bowl (LVIII) will take place at Allegiaпt Stadiυm iп Las Vegas oп Febrυary 11.

  • Kevin Hart’s Ex Assistant SPILLS DECADE LONG Secret G*Y AFFAIR With Diddy! (VIDEO)

    Kevin Hart’s Ex Assistant SPILLS DECADE LONG Secret G*Y AFFAIR With Diddy! (VIDEO)

    Unraveling the Scandalous Saga of Kevin Hart’s Tumultuous Life

    Will Kevin Hart and Diddy run the Miami Marathon? | Miami Herald

    In recent revelations that have sent shockwaves through Hollywood, former assistant Misha spills the beans on comedian Kevin Hart’s secret life in a jaw-dropping interview with Tasha K. Locked in non-disclosures, many are unable to speak out, making Misha’s claims all the more intriguing.

    The alleged infidelity goes beyond the well-known cheating scandals. Misha details Hart’s numerous extramarital affairs, providing concrete evidence and even showcasing Instagram profiles. One name that surfaces prominently is model Connor Morgan, a clandestine figure in Hart’s life. The shocking twist unfolds as Misha claims to have evidence of Hart’s involvement with Diddy himself, revealing a web of secrets that will undoubtedly rock the Hart family.

    Hart, known for his resilience, faces not only personal scandals but also financial risks. Misha unveils Hart’s purported gambling addiction, alleging colossal losses that have brought him to the edge of bankruptcy multiple times. Ironically, despite his turbulent relationship with Las Vegas, Hart now promotes a gambling house in the city, raising questions about timing and motives.

    Diddy and Kevin Hart at the 2020 Roc Nation Brunch in LA | Seeing Stars! Beyoncé and JAY-Z's Roc Nation Brunch Brings Out Some of Music's Finest | POPSUGAR Celebrity UK Photo 48

    The narrative takes another turn as the focus shifts to Hart’s connection with Diddy. Misha’s bombshell revelation suggests a romantic entanglement that adds complexity to Hart’s already tumultuous life. Speculation arises about the nature of their relationship, with hints at personal and possibly romantic connections beyond the surface.

    The resurfacing of old footage from Diddy’s wild parties adds another layer to the saga. Hart’s involvement in organizing these events hints at a deeper camaraderie with Diddy, sparking rumors about their sexual orientation. Hart’s past denials and defensiveness about his sexuality come under scrutiny as the scandalous revelations unfold.

    Amidst the scandalous saga, a sense of déjà vu looms over Hart’s life, taking us back to the notorious extortion scandal of 2017. Back then, a sex tape involving Hart and a woman named Montia Sabag surfaced during a wild weekend in Las Vegas. The scandal not only exposed Hart’s infidelity but also showcased the darker side of celebrity life, where private moments become tools for extortion.

    Despite public vows of personal growth and redemption, Misha’s recent revelations suggest that Hart’s journey may have hit obstacles. The echoes of 2017 linger, serving as a haunting backdrop to the ongoing drama surrounding Hart’s personal life.

    As the roller coaster of scandals shows no signs of slowing down, the future for Kevin Hart remains uncertain. The recent revelations leave fans and critics speculating about the comedian’s true commitment to change. The layers of Hart’s scandal-ridden past continue to unravel, making it a captivating and tumultuous narrative that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.

    Video:

  • Breaking News : overwhelmed Patrick mahomes Dad and newly married wife Trisha welcomes a baby boy ‘ look’s exactly like Patrick ‘

    Breaking News : overwhelmed Patrick mahomes Dad and newly married wife Trisha welcomes a baby boy ‘ look’s exactly like Patrick ‘

    We would like to extend our grandest congratulations to Pat Mahomes and his lovely new bride Trisha as they welcomes a baby boy.

     

    Patrick Mahomes’ parents, Pat Mahomes and Randi Martin, are his biggest cheerleaders.

    “I knew when it came to sports, he was going to be able to reach whatever level he wanted,” Randi said during a January 2020 FOX4 interview.

    The quarterback gets his athletic talent from his dad, Pat, who was an MLB pitcher in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

    Patrick’s parents were married from the late ’90s until their divorce in 2006. They’re the proud parents of Patrick and his younger brother, Jackson Mahomes, and the loving grandparents of Patrick’s children, Sterling Skye Mahomes and Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III.

    So, who are Patrick Mahomes’ most devoted fans? Here’s everything to know about Pat Mahomes and Randi Martin.

    Pat and Randi are divorced but remain on good terms with each other
    Randi and Pat married in the late ’90s and got divorced in 2006. On her website, Randi explains that though she and her ex-husband experienced hardships during their marriage, they have a healthy co-parenting relationship. “After high school, Randi met Patrick’s father and they quickly reconnected and started a family,” her bio reads. “When they met, Randi had no idea that her future husband was a star athlete that played professional baseball.”

    The post continues, “Married life with a professional baseball player is a hard life and took a toll on their relationship, which led to divorce. True to Randi’s optimistic spirit, the two are friendly to this day.”

    The former spouses frequently reunite to support Patrick at his games and during his milestone moments.

  • ‘Landmark paper’ shows why ice age Europeans wore jewelry

    ‘Landmark paper’ shows why ice age Europeans wore jewelry

    Pendants and beads reveal nine cultures living across the continent 30,000 years ago

     

    An artistic rendering depicts the bling preferred by Iberian foragers some 30,000 years ago.Sylvaine Jacquinot

    Your jewelry may be sending all kinds of messages: You’re married or a Super Bowl champion. You worship Jesus or belong to the pearls and suits set—or perhaps the piercings and purple hair crowd.

    For ice age hunters in Europe some 30,000 years ago, styles of ornaments including amber pendants, ivory bangles, and fox tooth beads may have also signaled membership in a particular culture, researchers report today in Nature Human Behaviour. The study, which compared thousands of handcrafted beads and adornments from dozens of widespread sites, suggests at least nine distinct cultures existed across Europe at this time.

    “It’s a landmark paper,” says archaeologist Peter Jordan, a professor at Lund University and  Hokkaido University who was not involved with the study. For centuries, archaeologists have tried to distinguish ancient peoples based on similarities in their artifacts. In recent years, however, sorting populations by ancient genetic group has at times overshadowed the archaeology. Here, “The archaeology strikes back,” Jordan says. “[It’s] showing that we can generate new narratives that also use a very rigorous, quantitative approach to the study of material traditions.”

    The earliest known ornamental beads—seashells punched for stringing—come from early Homo sapiens sites dated to between 150,000 to 70,000 years ago in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean coast. Unlike knives or awls, ornaments offer no obvious survival functions. Instead, anthropologists think they likely communicated one’s traits and achievements, such as reaching adulthood, hunts completed, or family lines. “It’s a kind of common language or common discourse with other individuals in that group,” Jordan says. Many scholars think the invention of beads indicates that our ancestors had also evolved the capacity for symbolism and language.

    Between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago, foragers in Europe fashioned beads from a diverse array of materials including ivory, bone, human and animal teeth, and flashy stones. These communities also painted caves and crafted so-called Venus figurines resembling voluptuous women, while coping with the glaciers and frigid temperatures of the last ice age. Despite the “horrendous” conditions, their artistic expressions suggest these people “weren’t just surviving—they were thriving,” says University of Bordeaux archaeologist and doctoral student Jack Baker.

    Because of the widespread locations of figurines and similarly fashioned spearpoints, archaeologists traditionally clumped all these people into a single culture known as the Gravettian, spread from what is now Portugal to Russia. More recently, though, analyses of subtle differences in stone toolmaking, funerary practices, and ancient DNA have suggested more than one group roamed the continent at this time. Could the diverse beads found from this period result from different cultures?

    As part of his dissertation, Baker aimed to find out. In 2020, he began to comb the literature for every ornament reported from 112 Gravettian burial and habitation sites excavated between the mid-1800s to 2010s. He classified thousands of beads into 134 types based on their raw materials and other design elements.

    Next, he compared bead types between sites and found that places with similar accoutrements clustered geographically. Nine distinct groups emerged. People at the easternmost sites, such as Kostenki along the Don River in Russia, seemed to prefer ornaments made of stone and red deer canines, whereas those in northwest Europe wore tube-shaped shells of Dentalium mollusks.

    A display of personal ornaments dating to 34,000 and 24,000 years ago
    Different ice age peoples formed personal ornaments from a variety of shell species.Jack Baker et al.
    The Gravettian was not “one monolithic thing,” Baker says, but instead included several culturally distinct groups, each hewing to their own ornamental traditions. His team thinks these groups crossed paths: The team’s computer simulations suggest the patterns of bead differences most resemble a scenario in which neighboring groups occasionally swapped styles or territories. Perhaps ivory-adorned people gazed across a river and spotted a band decked in vibrant seashells: “They would have been like, ‘Oh my God! Someone completely different!’” Baker imagines. Despite those differences, some cultural and genetic exchange seems to have occurred.

    DNA from human remains excavated from Gravettian sites identified two major genetic lineages in Europe at the time: one situated around the Pyrenees Mountains, and another in central and Eastern Europe. The bead-based groups mostly accorded with these populations, but added more subdivisions and a few twists, including data for places that have yet to yield ancient DNA, such as Moldova and southern Spain.

    For groups for which genetic data are available, being closely related didn’t necessarily mean they wore matching jewelry. Ancient groups living in modern-day Italy, for example, shared ancestry but some buried their dead with cowrie shells and others put fish vertebrae and ivory beads into graves. In contrast, in what’s now France and Belgium, individuals with different ancestry sported similar ornaments. These results imply somewhat porous, shifting cultural boundaries, and perhaps some adornment differences for people with special social roles.

    It makes sense that some peoples with shared ancestry may develop different cultural identities, reflected by their fashions and other behaviors—and conversely, that distinct genetic groups can blend culturally, says Cosimo Posth, a paleogeneticist at the University of Tübingen who was not involved with the new study. “It’s expected that genes don’t always match the culture that you’re carrying.”

    Bioarchaeologist Elizabeth Sawchuk of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History adds that the database of Gravettian beads is “an enormous contribution to the literature.” She also praised the study’s synthesis of archaeological and genetic results. “We’re in a cool, new, interdisciplinary space and these are exactly the kind of studies that I would hope to start coming out,” she says.

     

  • Venus Williams falls but opponent Camila Giorgi  celebrates, Serena Williams’ side immediately took action – WATCH

    Venus Williams falls but opponent Camila Giorgi celebrates, Serena Williams’ side immediately took action – WATCH


    The incident happened in the first set itself when Venus fell after hitting a forehand but Giorgi continued to play. Venus’ sister and Tennis legend Serena Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs was one among many who called out Giorgi for her on-court gesture during the play.

    Veteran tennis player Venus Williams turned back the clock on Monday as she won in the first round of WTA 250 event. The 43-year-old, who was playing with a strapped knee, beat Italian Camila Giorgi 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(6) for her first top-50 win since 2019.

    The game, however, saw an incident with Giorgi seemingly going against the sporting spirit to score a point over Venus. The incident happened in the first set itself when Venus fell after hitting a forehand but Giorgi continued to play. The Italian won the point but, it was her celebratory scream after winning the point which made heads turn.

    Venus’ sister and Tennis legend Serena Williams’ coach Rennae Stubbs was one among many who called out Giorgi for her on-court gesture during the play.

    “Camilla Giorgi just yelled Si when @Venuseswilliams just fell over and screamed! I mean wtf !!! I honestly think that could be the lowest moment of her career!!!! And you NEVER want to see this face coming at you now! Come on Vee!” Stubbs tweeted.

    Venus, after the win, went on to praise her opponent and said that Giorgi pushed her to be better.

    “I thought I played so well today and she also played incredible,” Venus Williams said. “So, she pushed me to be better than what I thought I could be and this is great, great for me,” said the seven-time Grand Slam winner via Tennis.com.

    “I got to a great start, my leg started hurting in the third game, I was like ‘Oh no, not this.’ It was really hard to control my emotions, to be honest, and eventually, I just acclimated to what I was going through and tried to ignore it. I couldn’t move as well as I wanted but I tried to hit every ball that I could,” she added.