š§ Ancient Beat #130: Subterranean chambers, a tomb in Petra, and a cat doing cat things
Hello and welcome, friends! This is issue #130 of Ancient Beat. And today, cats are in the news, so letās not tarry.
Hereās the latest ancient (cat) news. š»
š Ancient News: Top 5
Archaeologists Find First-ever Evidence of a Cat Kneading, in Jerusalem ā Okay, this one isnāt earth-shattering by any means, but itās about cats and this is the internet, so obviously I have to feature it. Internet bylaws demand it or something. Archaeologists uncovered a 1,200-year-old clay jug fragment in Mount Zion, Jerusalem, showing the first-ever evidence of a cat kneading behavior. The Abbasid-era jug, dating to around 750 CE, features distinctive paw prints and deep claw marks from a small cat, whose foreleg imprint is about 1.2 inches (3 cm) across. Although animal prints on ancient pottery aren't rare, this discovery is unique due to the specific kneading action. The researchers say that the marks suggest that the cat, feeling content, likely extended its claws while lounging on the jug as it dried in the sun. Letās be real, though. That cat was 100% trying to push it off the table.
Network of Subterranean Chambers and Tunnels Identified Beneath Mitla ā A network of subterranean chambers and tunnels was discovered beneath Mitla, a significant archaeological site related to the Zapotec civilization in Oaxaca, Mexico. Utilizing techniques like Ground Penetrating Radar and Electric Resistivity Tomography, researchers have unveiled large voids beneath the site's main altar and expansive tunnels suggesting an entrance to the Zapotec Underworld. These findings corroborate ancient accounts from the 17th century describing a labyrinth beneath Mitla, believed to be a sacred gateway for the Zapotecs. Further investigations aim to explore additional anomalies and potentially unearth earlier architectural elements.
Secret Tomb Found Under 'Indiana Jones' Filming Location in Petra ā Archaeologists in Petra, Jordan, have unearthed a tomb beneath the Khaznah (the Treasury) with at least 12 skeletons, possibly marking the largest single discovery of human remains in the area. These remains, along with bronze, iron, and ceramic grave goods, date back around 2,000 years, reflecting the rich heritage of the Nabataean civilization. The intact tomb offers a unique insight into the lives and death rituals of the Nabataeans, known for their nomadic culture that flourished from the fourth century BCE to 106 CE.
Volunteers Search Images From Space ā And Discover 1,000 Ancient Burials in Netherlands ā Using LiDAR technology, a project in the Netherlands called Heritage Quest enlisted the help of over 6,500 online volunteers to analyze satellite images of two regions, Veluwe and Utrechtse Heuvelrug. This citizen science effort aimed to identify prehistoric sites hidden beneath forested and grassy landscapes. Volunteers marked over 22,000 possible archaeological locations, and after verification, about 1,000 previously unknown prehistoric burial mounds were confirmed in just four months. These sites, which would have taken years or decades to discover by traditional methods, include prehistoric barrows, Celtic field systems, and medieval land boundaries.
'Getting High' in Paleolithic Hunting: Elevated Positions Enhance Javelin Accuracy but Reduce Atlatl Efficiency ā A study exploring the impact of elevation on projectile weapons during the Paleolithic era reveals that javelins thrown from heights of 3 meters to 9 meters significantly increase in velocity and kinetic energy, enhancing hunting efficiency. Conversely, the atlatl, a levered dart launcher, performs worse at these elevations due to biomechanical constraints and decreased projectile stability. This insight suggests that in terrains with significant elevation, Paleolithic hunters may have preferred javelins over atlatls, impacting their technological choices and settlement patterns near advantageous topographies for hunting.
Thatās it for the free Top 5! If youāre a free subscriber, sign up for the paid plan for another 19 discoveries and 6 recommended pieces of content covering Ragnarok, Phrygian religious sites, immigration, survival, alarm clocks, and pumpkin spice lattes.
Until next time, thanks for joining me!
-James
Twitter: @jamesofthedrum
P.S. If you want access but itās a little too steep for you right now, just email me ā I want this to be accessible
P.P.S Actual footage of that cat:
P.P.S. Paid members, read on!
š Ancient News: Deep Dive
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Ancient Beat to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.