Tweet
SCIENTISTS UNCOVER OLDEST KNOWN HUMAN BRAIN FROM OLD WORLD IN ARMENIAN CAVE
Smash Hits
http://news.smashits.com/337722/Scientists-un cover-oldest-known-human-brain-from-Old-World-in-A rmenian-cave.htm
Jan 13 2009
India
Washington, Jan 13 (ANI): Scientists have uncovered in an Armenian
cave what may be the oldest preserved human brain from an ancient
society, which dates back to 6,000 years.
The cave overlooks southeastern Armenia's Arpa River, just across
the border from Iran.
The researchers found a trio of Copper Age human skulls, each buried
in a separate niche inside the three-chambered, 600-square-meter cave.
The skulls belonged to 12- to 14-year-old girls, according to
anatomical analyses conducted independently by three biological
anthropologists.
Fractures identified on two skulls indicate that the girls were killed
by blows from a club of some sort, probably in a ritual ceremony,
according to Gregory Areshian of the University of California,
Los Angeles.
Remarkably, one skull contained a shriveled but well-preserved
brain. This is the oldest known human brain from the Old World,
Areshian said.
The Old World comprises Europe, Asia, Africa and surrounding islands.
Scientists now studying the brain have noted preserved blood vessels
on its surface. Surviving red blood cells have been extracted from
those hardy vessels for analysis.
The cave has also offered surprising new insights into the origins
of modern civilizations, such as evidence of a winemaking enterprise
and an array of culturally diverse pottery.
Excavations in and just outside of Areni-1 cave during 2007 and 2008
yielded an extensive array of Copper Age artifacts dating to between
6,200 and 5,900 years ago, according to Areshian.
The finds show that major cultural developments occurred during the
Copper Age in areas outside southern Iraq, which is traditionally
regarded as the cradle of civilization, Areshian noted.
The new cave discoveries move cultural activity in what's now Armenia
back by about 800 years.
This is exciting work, said Rana Ozbal of Bogazici University in
Istanbul, Turkey.
According to Areshian, whoever they were, these people participated
in trade networks that ran throughout the Near East.
Additional discoveries at the site include metal knives, seeds from
more than 30 types of fruit, remains of dozens of cereal species,
rope, cloth, straw, grass, reeds and dried grapes and prunes. (ANI)
Smash Hits
http://news.smashits.com/337722/Scientists-un cover-oldest-known-human-brain-from-Old-World-in-A rmenian-cave.htm
Jan 13 2009
India
Washington, Jan 13 (ANI): Scientists have uncovered in an Armenian
cave what may be the oldest preserved human brain from an ancient
society, which dates back to 6,000 years.
The cave overlooks southeastern Armenia's Arpa River, just across
the border from Iran.
The researchers found a trio of Copper Age human skulls, each buried
in a separate niche inside the three-chambered, 600-square-meter cave.
The skulls belonged to 12- to 14-year-old girls, according to
anatomical analyses conducted independently by three biological
anthropologists.
Fractures identified on two skulls indicate that the girls were killed
by blows from a club of some sort, probably in a ritual ceremony,
according to Gregory Areshian of the University of California,
Los Angeles.
Remarkably, one skull contained a shriveled but well-preserved
brain. This is the oldest known human brain from the Old World,
Areshian said.
The Old World comprises Europe, Asia, Africa and surrounding islands.
Scientists now studying the brain have noted preserved blood vessels
on its surface. Surviving red blood cells have been extracted from
those hardy vessels for analysis.
The cave has also offered surprising new insights into the origins
of modern civilizations, such as evidence of a winemaking enterprise
and an array of culturally diverse pottery.
Excavations in and just outside of Areni-1 cave during 2007 and 2008
yielded an extensive array of Copper Age artifacts dating to between
6,200 and 5,900 years ago, according to Areshian.
The finds show that major cultural developments occurred during the
Copper Age in areas outside southern Iraq, which is traditionally
regarded as the cradle of civilization, Areshian noted.
The new cave discoveries move cultural activity in what's now Armenia
back by about 800 years.
This is exciting work, said Rana Ozbal of Bogazici University in
Istanbul, Turkey.
According to Areshian, whoever they were, these people participated
in trade networks that ran throughout the Near East.
Additional discoveries at the site include metal knives, seeds from
more than 30 types of fruit, remains of dozens of cereal species,
rope, cloth, straw, grass, reeds and dried grapes and prunes. (ANI)