Scientists have made some fascinating discoveries in 2023 that have revolutionized our understanding of the past. From revealing the true gender of a 5,000-year-old skeleton to uncovering the secret ingredient in Roman concrete, here are six mysteries about human history that have been cracked, along with one that still has researchers scratching their heads.
One of the most intriguing discoveries is the revelation that a 5,000-year-old skeleton found in a tomb near Seville, Spain, was actually that of a female prehistoric leader. This finding challenges traditional assumptions and opens up an entirely new era in the analysis of the social organization of prehistoric societies.
In another breakthrough, scientists discovered the mystery ingredient that allowed the Romans to make their construction material so durable. It turns out that white chunks in the Roman concrete, referred to as lime clasts, gave the concrete the ability to heal cracks that formed over time.
Furthermore, a new analysis of DNA extracted from Ötzi the Iceman’s pelvis revealed in August that his physical appearance wasn’t what scientists first thought. The study of his genetic makeup showed that Ötzi had dark skin and dark eyes — and was likely bald. This revised appearance stands in stark contrast to the well-known reconstruction of Ötzi that depicts a pale-skinned man with a full head of hair and a beard.
Other discoveries include the recovery of ancient human DNA from a pendant made from deer bone found in Denisova Cave in Siberia, and the decoding of a word written in ancient Greek on one of the blackened Herculaneum scrolls.
Furthermore, scientists have also uncovered some of the substances and concoctions ancient Egyptians used to mummify the dead by chemically analyzing organic residues left in ancient vessels.
Lastly, nearly 200 years after his death, scientists extracted DNA from preserved locks of hair of composer Ludwig van Beethoven in an attempt to understand the nature of his chronic health problems. While a definitive diagnosis still eludes researchers, Beethoven’s genetic data helped to rule out potential causes of his ailments, and also suggested an extramarital affair within the composer’s family.
These discoveries are just a few examples of how scientists are using innovative techniques and groundbreaking research to shed new light on our ancient past. Through paleogenetics, artificial intelligence, chemical analysis, and DNA studies, our understanding of human history is continually evolving and providing us with fascinating insights into the past. This article was contributed to by Ashley Strickland and Taylor Nicioli.