This article explores the fascinating history of steel, tracing its origins back thousands of years and highlighting the crucial role it played in human civilization. From the independent discoveries of early steel production in different parts of the world to the development of specialized furnaces for producing various steel alloys, this piece delves into the science and social impact of this vital metal.
Archaeologists in Norway have unearthed a unique burial site containing dozens of graves of children from the Bronze and Iron Ages. The graves, marked by circles of meticulously placed stones, are unlike any other known burial site in Europe. The discovery has left experts baffled, prompting further investigation into the reasons behind the unusual burial practices and the significance of the site.
Approximately 100 petroglyphs, dating back to the Bronze or Early Iron ages, have been discovered in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan. Depicting animals, humans, and hunting scenes, these engravings were found during a nationwide environmental cleanup campaign. Although scholars acknowledge the existence of the site, it has been kept a secret to protect it until it could be thoroughly examined.
Archaeological excavations at Tossal de Baltarga, an Iron Age settlement in Spain, have uncovered evidence of a catastrophic fire that may have been caused by Hannibal’s troops during the Second Punic War. The fire destroyed a farmhouse, killing four sheep, a goat, and a horse, but its occupants managed to escape. Analysis of coins and historical records suggests the fire occurred during Hannibal’s crossing of the Pyrenees, likely in response to battles in the area. The presence of penned animals and a hidden gold earring further indicates that the inhabitants anticipated an attack.
An ancient necropolis discovered near Naples, Italy, dating back approximately 2,800 years, provides insights into pre-Roman Iron Age cultures. The necropolis contains 88 burials, including men buried with weapons and women with bronze ornaments and pottery vases. Researchers speculate that the site pre-dates the Samnite people and may belong to the “Pit Tomb” culture prevalent in central and southern Italy during the Iron Age.
A groundbreaking study has utilized an innovative dating technique to establish a precise timeline for Jerusalem’s ancient sites, corroborating key events recounted in the Bible. Radiocarbon dating, typically unreliable during a period known as the ‘Hallstatt plateau,’ was successfully calibrated using meticulous analytical methods. The findings illuminate the city’s settlement, a devastating earthquake, and its eventual destruction by the Babylonians.
