A well-preserved 1.8 million-year-old skull could rewrite the history of how modern humans evolved, Swiss scientists say

The skull of an ancient human ancestor, found in Dmanisi, Georgia, and known as Skull-5, indicates that the genus Homo was not divided into species.

Studies show that the first members of the genus Homo, including those belonging to Homo Homo sapiens and Homo erectus, belonged to the same species and simply differed from each other in external signs.

This discovery is capable of overturning the system of classification of early human ancestors. Scientists from the Institute of Anthropology and the Museum of Zurich say that Skull 5 indicates that instead of several ecologically specialized species of Homo, there was one species on earth that appeared in Africa about two million years ago. After examining the skull, the researchers found that unlike other Homo fossils, the unique find is a small skull with a long face and large teeth.

Near the skull were also found the remains of four other early human ancestors, various animal fossils, and some stone tools. All finds are associated with the same time period, which makes the find truly unique.

At the archaeological site, which has only been partially excavated, scientists have had their first opportunity to compare and contrast the physical features of several human ancestors that apparently coexisted at the same time in the same geological space.

Differences between fossils found in Dmanisi are the same as between five modern humans, scientists say. The discovery suggests that early humans were actually members of a single species, most likely Homo erectus.

"If fragments of Skull 5 were discovered as separate fossils in different places in Africa, they could be attributed to different species. The thing is that these remains combine some key features of several species at once, such as a tiny skull and a big face that has never been seen together until now," said Swiss Museum employee Christoph Zollikofer.

The jaw of a unique find was found five years before scientists were able to discover the skull itself. When the jaw and skull were reattached, they formed the best preserved specimen. The researchers suggest that the skull belongs to a male. The fossils found suggest that early Homo had small brains, despite limbs, proportions, and body size similar to those of modern humans.

Swiss scientists came to such conclusions after conducting research. The reason is poor-quality food from fast foods and a poor environmental situation.

During the scientific-practical conference in Düsseldorf, the German forensic expert Werner Stolz said that in the last three years, when the bodies of people buried 30 years ago were exhumed, the situation arose more than 30 times that the corpses practically did not decompose. The deceased looked as if they had been buried only 1.5 weeks ago. This topic was also raised at a conference of funeral business specialists, which was held in Switzerland. Cemetery directors in major cities such as Hamburg, Paris, Cologne and Milan have reported that they do not have enough space for new burials. According to sanitary standards, a new grave can be dug at the site of an old burial place only after 17 years, but until that time the corpses are perfectly preserved and do not turn into dust.
Scientists from Switzerland have put forward several theories why people who have died over the past 30 years do not decompose.
1. Ecological situation: Due to the fact that the soil is excessively polluted, the bacteria that are responsible for the decomposition of corpses have disappeared.
2. Food preservatives in food: Modern foods, and especially sweets, fast foods, and carbonated drinks, are so concentrated in harmful substances that mummification occurs. Preservatives accumulate in the human body during life, and after death they affect the processes of decay. Scientists say that people will not be able to completely change their diet, so the only way out of this situation is the cremation of the dead.
3. Anti-aging cosmetics: People actively use special anti-aging creams or gels. Therefore, it turns out that the upper tissues of the body are embalmed already during life, preventing the process of decay after death.

The researchers concluded that maggots, nematode worms Pelodera and Sarcophagus mortuorum, and putrefactive bacteria do not like food additives. Scientists from EU countries have studied this issue in detail and reported that now the soft tissues of the bodies of the dead do not turn into humus. In the modern world, this phenomenon is common due to bactericidal substances that keep food on supermarket shelves for a long period.
This problem first surfaced in France, when during reburials after five years, deviations were found in the process of decomposition of the dead. The corpses resembled wax figures of the dead, and scientists came to the conclusion that putrefactive bacteria did not work on the bodies of the deceased because of the preservatives that had accumulated in the soft tissues of the dead. A similar situation has developed in Germany, but there the period of repeated exploitation of the grave is 15-20 years. Even during this period, the remains of the dead did not decompose, but turned into corpse wax.

Out of Place Artifact - Williams Enigmalith February 18th, 2018

Oopart (Oopart - out of place exhibit) is a term applied to prehistoric objects found in various places around the world. Given the level of technology in their implementation, age determination based on physical, chemical and/or geological analysis is contrary to the generally accepted theories of modern science. Uparts are often frustrating targets for scientists, but delight brave explorers and people interested in alternative scientific theories. For example, you can give for example or for example, but remember also

In 1998, electrical engineer John J. Williams discovered what appeared to be an electrical connector sticking out of the ground. He dug it out and found that it was a three-prong plug inserted into a small rock.

According to Williams, the stone was found during a field trip in the North American countryside, far from human settlements, industrial complexes, airports, factories, and electronic or nuclear installations. Despite the fact that this detracts from the significance of his discovery, Williams refuses to name the exact place where the find was made, lest the site be looted in search of other mysterious relics.

Known as "Enigmalith" (a combination of enigma and monolith) or "Petradox", the device features an undeniable electronic component embedded in a naturally formed, hard granite stone composed of quartz and feldspar (including very small percentages of mica).

Due to the mystery surrounding the find, its price is $500,000. Many in the scientific community have classified the Enigmalite as a hoax, manufactured solely for fame and money.

However, Williams explains that his unusual stone is available for any researcher and analysis. Scientists have so far shied away from testing the stone, despite an open invitation.

According to Williams, who consulted with an engineer and geologist to examine the specimen, the electronic component embedded in the granite shows no signs of gluing or welding in any known form; it is clear that the object already existed at the time of the formation of the rock.

Geological analysis of the stone showed that it is approximately 100,000 years old - incredible, according to the usual understanding of the technological development of mankind. The body of the plug is made of an unknown substance, not wood, plastic, rubber, metal, or any other recognizable material.

Williams forbids the destruction of the specimen, he used a powerful X-ray, which showed that the matrix component extends into an opaque internal structure within the stone.

While skeptics believe it's a hoax, Williams is convinced he's unearthed a genuine shard or piece of ancient, artificial, or off-planet technology, and is keen to have scientists confirm its authenticity. However, Williams insists on his presence during the analysis so that the stone remains intact.

Some believe that scientists are withdrawing from studying the specimen because they are afraid of what they might find. If scientific analysis proves the authenticity of the find, it could radically change our understanding of human history.

If the specimen is genuine, researchers should consider its design. Why was such a component embedded in the stone? What purpose did such an object serve?

sources

15.01.2015 12:33

Anthropologist Marcel Niffenegger from the Swiss city of Flurlingen restored the appearance of a 16-year-old girl buried on the Ukok plateau in the Ak-Alakha I burial ground, not far from the place where the famous one was found. The scientist claims that thanks to his method, the image corresponds to reality by 75%, so from the study one can draw a definite conclusion about the anthropological parameters of the “Scythian frau”, as he calls her. The translation of the article was published by News of Gorny Altai (NGA).

According to Mr. Niffenegger, for the reconstruction of the external appearance, he used advanced technologies, consulted with various experts who helped to better understand the structure of the face, based on the features of the bones of the skull. In general, it was quite well preserved due to the Siberian frosts, however, on the other hand, it was the ice that partially deformed the bones, in addition, the “Scythian Frau” lost its nose, so a significant part of the work was done using modeling.

Nevertheless, the marks on the skull made it possible to identify places where the skin lay directly on the bones, as well as to determine the thickness and shape of the muscles of the face. The Swiss researcher was engaged in the reconstruction of the appearance of a woman from the Ukok plateau for two months in the fall of 2010. The face was recreated using silicone, the process of recreating eyelashes, eyebrows and hair on the head was very laborious - it took more than 100 thousand "donor" hairs in order to do this.

As a result, the accuracy of the match reached 75%, another 25% - the interpretation of the shape of the nose, skin color, hair and eyes. The anthropologist applied a tattoo on the body of the “Scythian Frau”, similar to that found on the body of the “Princess Ukok”, since at that period of history the inhabitants of Gorny Altai - the Pazyryks - decorated their bodies with drawings. What kind of drawings were on the skin of a girl from the Ak-Alakha I burial ground is unknown.

It is worth noting that the phenotype of a woman differs significantly from the Turkic, which is consistent with the data on the peoples inhabiting Altai at that time (VI-III centuries BC). In appearance, it is more likely to be attributed to the Nordo-Cromanid type, better known as the Anglo-Saxon, currently inhabiting mainly Germany and Northern Europe, or other types of northern European peoples. However, at that time, genetic haplogroups were distributed in a completely different way, there was no separation of many ethnic groups, so it is impossible to confidently say that Europeans are descendants of fellow tribesmen of the “Scythian Frau”.

According to the NGA, the Ak-Alakha I burial ground was explored in 1990 by an expedition led by Natalya Polosmak. It consists of six burial mounds and a memorial complex. In one of the mounds excavated by archaeologists, a burial of a 16-year-old girl was found. She lay on her right side. The felt part of her headdress has not been preserved, but it was restored thanks to the preserved components (the pommel in the form of a bird's head in gold foil, the figurines of a deer and horses).

Ak-Alakha I is located next to the legendary burial place of Ak-Alakha III, where the mummy of the so-called "Princess of Ukok" was discovered. It is worth noting that the reconstruction was carried out in the fall of 2010, but it became known the other day thanks to the Barnaul ecologist and photographer Alexei Ebel, who wrote about it in his blog.

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And the birth of a child will add more kilograms, writes India Today. If we compare single and married men, then the latter had a higher Body Mass Index, the study showed. The difference was about 1.4 kilograms. So, the very fact of his wife's pregnancy had no effect on weight. But in the first years of a child's life, the man gained weight, according to a University of Bath study.

A decrease in the Body Mass Index occurs shortly before and immediately after a divorce. Experts warn: single men looking for a permanent partner should carefully monitor their diet. After all, the most dangerous time for a figure is the first years of marriage. In any case, the weight gain seems to be due to the fact that married couples have more reason to attend dinner parties and other large-table events. Yes, and at home, married men eat more often.

Meanwhile, numerous studies show that marriage improves health. Recently, researchers at Aston Medical School analyzed data from more than 900,000 patients. The researchers found that those with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol who were married were more likely to survive than those who were single.

The positive effect is associated with social support and assistance. For example, spouses often force patients to lead a healthy lifestyle and take medication. Previously, the same team of researchers found that married people are more likely to survive a heart attack. According to other studies, marriage reduces the level of cortisol (stress hormone) in the body and the risk of premature death.

However, a number of studies have shown that lonely people are not doomed. So, researchers from Switzerland interviewed 11,000 people over 16 years. Scientists have found that marriage undermined people's health. A study conducted in London showed that people who were married had fewer health problems. But the health of single women was also strong.

In addition, people who are married are at risk of divorce or widowhood. In 2009, researchers from the University of Chicago conducted a study and concluded that divorced or widowed people are more likely to develop a number of health problems than those who have never been married. People who were married had fewer mobility problems and symptoms of depression. But experts did not find differences in the prevalence of a number of chronic diseases.

Analysis of data from another large study showed that people of mature age who kept the marriage, and those who never entered into it, lived longer compared to those who divorced. Experts say that happiness plays an important role in marriage. According to studies, people with marital problems have a significantly higher risk of strokes and heart attacks than those who are happily married. Thus, marriage can affect health in completely different ways.