February 23, 2012

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Is This Russian Landscape the Birthplace of Native Americans?

Kazakh eagle-hunters ride through the Altay Mountains.  Photo Credit: David Edwards, National Geographic

The genetic homeland of Native Americans is a small mountainous region in southern Siberia, a new study suggests.

Mysterious ‘Winged’ Structure from Ancient Rome Discovered

The archaeological team inside the postholes from the later Roman building. Decorated wall plaster was excavated from them. CREDIT: William Bowden

Archaeologists have uncovered a mysterious winged structure that dates to ancient Rome and has no parallel. They suggest the structure was a shrine or temple, or it may have been a temporary structure for a celebration, archaeologists say.

Drought Led to Demise of Ancient City of Angkor

Bayon temple, constructed by Angkorian King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. The faces may be representations of Buddha, the bodhisattva Lokesvara, Jayavarman VII, or a combination. CREDIT: Mary Beth Day, University of Cambridge

A study of past climate in the ancient city of Angkor, known for its ruined temple of Angkor Wat, reveals drought may have led to the civilization’s demise, scientists say.

Mystery of Dead Sea Scroll Authors Possibly Solved

First excavated by Roland de Vaux in the 1950s, the site of Qumran in Israel is mired in controversy. De Vaux believed that it was a monastic settlement used by the Essenes and that the Dead Sea Scrolls were composed here. More recent archaeological work has cast doubt on this idea. The new textile research may help resolve the debate. CREDIT: Joseph Calev

Nearly 200 textiles left behind in caves in Qumran, Israel, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden suggest that at least some of the authors were from a Jewish religious sect called the Essenes, argue archaeologists.

Turin Shroud ‘was created by flash of supernatural light’, say scientists

Scientists in Italy believe the kind of technology needed to create the Shroud of Turin simply wasn't around at the time that it was created

Italian researchers have found evidence that casts doubt on claims that the relic – said to be the burial cloth of Jesus – is a fake and they suggest that it could, after all, be authentic.

Cigarette butt leads to arrest in 31-year-old Maine murder case

Maine state troopers lead Jay Mercier from Somerset Superior Court in Skowhegan today where he pleaded not guilty of murdering Rita St. Peter.  AP

DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette butt has led to an arrest in a 31-year-old Maine murder case, in which a young woman was slain after leaving a bar late at night, authorities say.