2016 has discovered an amazing display of archaeological encounters, pushing the borders of scientific research and our understanding of the past. The following list represents nine of the most exciting proclamations across the year.
This year, archaeologists debunked a wealth of treasures that revealed not only some strange practices (like building a pyramid within a pyramid within a pyramid) but also some of the long-held surprises of well-known artifacts. From new Dead Sea Scrolls to the youngest mummy ever discover in Egypt, to a 1,500-year-old stone with the size of 200 American football fields to the tomb of Jesus, here's a look at the biggest archaeology stories of 2016.
Egypt's Youngest Mummy
A minute coffin in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, holds what looks to be the youngest known Egyptian mummy. The coffin, made of cedar wood, was discovered at Giza in 1907 and dates back 2,500 plus years. The fetus inside the coffin was only 16-18 weeks old after the time of development and likely died from a miscarriage. Not until CT scans were performed was the inhabitant of the tiny coffin exposed.
Virtually Unwrapped Scroll
Using a series of CT scans, scientists were able to "virtually unwrap" a burnt Dead Sea Scroll dating back about 1,700 years. The charred scroll was exposed in 1970 at the site of En Gedi near the Dead Sea in Israel. The well-known "Dead Sea Scrolls" were discovered in between 1947 and 1956 at another site, this one called Qumran, also near the Dead Sea. The precise date of the scroll isn't clear; however, it appears to date back around 1,700 years or perhaps a bit earlier, the researchers said.
Pyramid Within A Pyramid Within A Pyramid
Archaeologists discovered the El Castillo pyramid at Chichén Itzá in Mexico actually contains of a pyramid within a pyramid within a pyramid. The outermost pyramid was built sometime between 950 and 1000, while the pyramid within that pyramid was made sometime between 850 and 900, and a pyramid within that was erected sometime between 600 and 800.
Ancient Egyptian Boat Tableau
More than 120 boat carvings were revealed within a structure at the city site of Abydos, in Egypt, dates back more than 3,800 years. The construction is located near the tomb of pharaoh Senwosret III. Inside the building, archaeologists also found boards that they said are likely from a wooden boat that used to be inside the assembly.
Kazakhstan Megalithic Site
Archaeologists proclaimed the discovery of a 1,500-year-old stone in Kazakhstan that stretches over 300 acres (120 hectares) of land, or more than 200 American football fields. A large amount of work has to be done though but archaeologists can already report the detection of a saddle made partly of silver and stones imprinted with images of weapons and creatures. The complex may have been built by the Huns, a people who voyaged across Asia and Europe and came into skirmish with the Roman Empire.
Excavation Of The "Tomb Of Jesus"
Archaeologists recently dug a tomb in Jerusalem that people in ancient times alleged held the remains of Jesus Christ. Per legend, the tomb was exposed in the fourth century after Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, traveled to Jerusalem and ordered diggings to find the tomb's place. After Jesus' tomb was recognized, per legend, the imperial family ordered that a shrine be built over the site.
Unknown Branch Of Humanity
Somewhere between 70,000 and 40,000 years ago, humans multiplied with an unknown branch of humanity, a new genomic study revealed this year. It would have occurred sometime after Homo sapiens who migrated from Africa.
"We believe that they interbred with humans shortly before humans crossed into the ancient landmass of Sahul - what is now Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania - some 50,000 to 60,000 years ago," Eske Willerslev, a paleogenetic at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, told Live Science. The finding was made by investigating the genomes of present-day indigenous Australians.
New Dead Sea Scrolls
Twenty-five beforehand unknown Dead Sea Scrolls were defined this year in two separate books. The scrolls comprehend parts of the biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Samuel, Ruth, Kings, Micah, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Joshua, Judges, Proverbs, Numbers, Psalms, Ezekiel, and Jonah. These findings (scrolls) were purchased by hoarders in the antiquities market. Experts talk to Live Science said that some of the scrolls may be counterfeits. These scrolls are just 25 of more than 70 Dead Sea Scrolls that have seemed on the time immemorial market in the past 20 years.
Stay tuned for more discoveries yet to unfold this coming year 2017!
