Ancient Mesopotamian Bricks Shed Light on Earth’s Magnetic Anomalies
Inscribed Mesopotamian bricks have provided valuable insight into a long-standing mystery regarding the Earth’s magnetic field. The bricks, which were used to promote the kings when they were fired, have helped researchers reveal details of a peculiar strengthening of the Earth’s magnetic field that occurred over 3,000 years ago.
The anomalous strength of the Earth’s magnetic field from China to the Atlantic Ocean over a 500-year period, beginning just over 3,000 years ago, has puzzled scientists for decades. However, evidence from the region itself has been scarce and poorly dated – until now.
The Earth’s magnetic field is not consistent in time or space, and temporary weak patches and pockets of unexplained strength have been observed. Understanding this behavior is a priority, as the magnetic field protects the Earth from space radiation and guides navigation systems.
Professor Mark Altaweel of University College London and his colleagues have recently made a breakthrough in the study of the Earth’s magnetic field anomalies. By analyzing 32 Mesopotamian clay bricks inscribed with the names of 12 kings, the researchers were able to determine the strength and direction of the magnetic field at the time the bricks were fired.
The results of their analysis revealed a significant strengthening of the magnetic field in the Middle East around 3,000 years ago, known as the Levantine Iron Age geomagnetic Anomaly. Furthermore, the fluctuations in the magnetic field during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, the famous Babylonian king, were found to be larger and more rapid than previously detected elsewhere.
“The geomagnetic field is one of the most enigmatic phenomena in earth sciences,” said Professor Lisa Tauxe of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “This work has put us in a better position to solve that enigma, but the authors have not yet been able to do so.”
In addition to shedding light on the Earth’s magnetic anomalies, the study has also provided valuable data for historians. By comparing the magnetic fields recorded in the bricks with other dating methods, the researchers have supported one of the competing timelines proposed by historians, known as the Low Chronology.
The findings from the study, which is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, have not only advanced our understanding of the Earth’s magnetic field but have also contributed to unraveling the mysteries of ancient civilizations. As researchers continue to delve into the past, these ancient Mesopotamian bricks may hold the key to unlocking many more secrets of our planet’s history.