Scientists will be able to solve 6 historical mysteries in 2023.. What are they?

2023-12-26 2023-12-26T21:43:44Z

Arabia Weather - In 2023, scientists have succeeded in solving many mysteries related to historical archaeological discoveries that have remained enigmatic for many decades. These mysteries contribute to revealing the secrets of the past, and shed light on how previous generations lived and even their way of thinking.

Modern technologies helped solve the mysteries

In 2023, scientists benefited from modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence technologies, to decipher many mysterious historical mysteries that remained undiscovered for decades. This achievement opens the door for scientists to explore the depths of ancient times and reveal new historical secrets.

Although many scientific questions remain unanswered, and many historical secrets have not yet been revealed, scientists have so far been able to solve many complex historical mysteries. This recent scientific advance shows the potential to unveil new aspects of human history that span thousands of years.

Here are six historical mysteries solved in 2023 that have challenged researchers for years, according to CNN.

The most prominent mysteries solved by scientists during 2023

Unidentified skeleton

This year, the identity of the unknown skeleton discovered in a cemetery near Seville, Spain, in 2008 was revealed, where it was buried with a crystal dagger and golden artifacts. The skeleton was initially thought to be that of a young man based on analysis of the pelvic bone, but dental analysis revealed that it belonged to a female.

The discovery has overturned the idea held for more than two decades that the skeleton belonged to a “hunter-man,” a belief that has fueled many theories about early humans.

The secret of the strength of Roman concrete

Studies have shown that Roman concrete remains durable longer than modern concrete, which may deteriorate within decades. The Pantheon in Rome is an example of this, standing tall even though it was built hundreds of years ago. A study conducted in January 2023 revealed the mysterious element that allowed the Romans to build strong and durable structures.

Scientists indicated that they discovered the active ingredient when analyzing 2,000-year-old concrete samples from a city wall at the archaeological site of Privernum in central Italy. They found that the white bits, known as lime chips, were enhancing the concrete's ability to heal cracks that appear over time.

The real look of a snowman

In 1991, the body of Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, was found high in the Italian Alps, and his frozen remains are among the most meticulously studied archaeological finds in the world. These remains, dating back 5,300 years ago, revealed unique details about what life was like in that period.

New DNA analysis conducted last August showed that Ötzi's physical appearance was not what scientists initially thought. After a recent study of Ötzi's genetic makeup, it was revealed that the snowman had dark skin and dark eyes, and was likely bald.

This appearance contrasts with the previous depiction of Ötzi, which depicted him as a pale-skinned man with a full head of hair and a beard.

The owner of the historical necklace

Earlier this year, scientists recovered ancient human DNA from a necklace made of deer bone that was discovered in Denisova Cave in Siberia.

Through this evidence, scientists were able to reveal that a woman who lived between 19,000 and 25,000 years ago was wearing this necklace. The woman belonged to a group known as "Ancient North Eurasians", which have a genetic connection to America's first inhabitants.

Human DNA found in this “deer bone necklace” helped reveal the lady’s identity and how long she lived.

Deciphering the Herculaneum manuscripts

In the 18th century, some adventurers discovered the largest known library of classical antiquity, containing manuscript documents of unknown meaning, known as the Herculaneum Manuscripts. These documents remained a mystery for a long time, until a computer science student at the University of Nebraska, Luke Varitor, helped an artificial intelligence decipher a word written in ancient Greek on one of those black scrolls.

As a result of his efforts, Variator received a $40,000 prize for deciphering the word "πορφυρας" or "porphyras," a Greek word meaning purple. Scientists now hope to use this technique to decipher the entire scroll.

Egyptian mummy mummification materials

By studying the remains of pots left in mummification workshops, scientists were able to discover the materials and mixtures that the ancient Egyptians used in mummification operations. Thanks to chemical analysis of the organic materials remaining in the vessels, it has been shown that the ancient Egyptians relied on a wide range of substances to anoint the bodies of the dead after their death, with the aim of reducing unpleasant odors and protecting them from damage and decay.

Identified ingredients include vegetable oils such as juniper, cypress and cedar, as well as resins from pistachio trees, animal fats and beeswax. The study also showed that the components used were diverse and were not limited to sources in Egypt only, but rather extended to more distant regions, indicating the exchange of goods over long distances.