However, the megaliths are still standing, which suggests slower-rising sea levels. Etna 8,500 years ago could have triggered a 40-meter (130 ft) tsunami capable of devouring coastal cities in hours. No one is sure what caused the settlement to sink into the sea. Dating to the seventh millennium BC, the settlement contains walls, paved areas, and a semicircular structure of seven monoliths arranged around what was once a freshwater spring. Located 8 to 12 meters (26–39 ft) below the Mediterranean off the coast of Haifa, Israel, Atlit Yam remains a mystery. A DNA analysis conclusively determined the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The baby’s bone deformity suggests the mother passed the disease on shortly after birth. The skeletons belonged to a woman and her infant. In 2008, marine archaeologists exploring the sunken ruins of Neolithic Atlit Yam discovered the remains of the earliest known victims of tuberculosis. This is the first genetic testing done on ancient-looking Americans. Nevertheless, a genetic test revealed that Naia has maternal DNA matching modern Native Americans. With a narrow face, wide-set eyes, prominent forehead, flat nose, and protruding teeth, Naia is an example of this ancient morphology. Water levels rose between 10,000 and 4,000 years ago, flooding the Black Hole and helping to preserve her remains.Īnthropologists have long noted that early inhabitants of the Americas resembled Africans, native Australians, and indigenous people of the South Pacific more than modern Native Americans. Photo credit: Paul Nicklen/ National Geographic via Smithsonianĭivers discovered the oldest complete Native American remains in an underwater cave in Mexico known as Hoyo Negro, or “Black Hole.” The 12,000-year-old remains belong to a young woman whom scientists have dubbed “Naia.” She fell 30 meters (100 ft) to her death in search of water in the ancient cave, which would have been mostly dry at the time. The skulls would have been used in ritual display, a process reflected in other ancient Swedish sites. The remains would have been allowed to decompose before they were dug up and deposited in the lake. Others believe the lake was a secondary burial site. Some suggest the mounted heads were trophies of enemies killed in battle. Various theories have emerged about the mysterious tomb. Archaeologists also discovered scattered human bones, animal remains, and tools of antler, stone, and bone. The grave was built on the bottom of a shallow lake. Two were impaled on spikes, and others showed evidence that they once were. Researchers discovered skulls and cranial fragments from 11 individuals, including men, women, and children. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Vattern, the tomb contains a collection of 8,000-year-old skulls mounted on stakes. In 2009, archaeologists excavating a prehistoric lake bed in Sweden unearthed the Tomb of the Sunken Skulls.
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