Tag Archives: army

DNA Uncovers the Illness that Plagued Napoleon’s Defeated Army

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As Napoleon advanced into Russia in 1812, he commanded the largest army ever assembled in Europe. However, his return was marked not by gunfire, but by the chilling impact of microscopic foes.

Scientists examining DNA from the teeth of soldiers who perished during the retreat from Moscow have uncovered two diseases that devastated the Tsar’s grand army.

Historically, “typhus has been regarded as the most widespread illness in the military,” stated Nicolas Raskovan, director of the microbial paleogenomics department at the Pasteur Institute and lead author of the research. The findings were published in “Current Biology”.

Employing a method known as shotgun sequencing, Raskovan and his team investigated ancient DNA from the dental remains of 13 soldiers discovered near Vilnius, Lithuania, and identified two “previously undocumented pathogens.”

“We have confirmed the presence of Salmonella enterica, which is part of the Paratyphoid C strain,” he explained to NBC News, noting this bacteria is responsible for paratyphoid fever, along with Borrelia ricerentis, the agent of relapsing fever.

These diseases would likely have thrived in environments where “sanitation and hygiene were severely lacking,” he added.

The results align with historical accounts detailing symptoms like fever and diarrhea that plagued Napoleon’s troops, according to the study.

A “reasonable scenario” for the fatalities might include “extreme fatigue, cold weather, and multiple illnesses, such as paratyphoid fever or louse-borne relapsing fever,” the researchers noted.

“Although not necessarily deadly, louse-borne relapsing fever can be profoundly debilitating for someone already worn down,” they added.

In contrast to a 2006 study that discovered traces of bacteria causing typhus and trench fever in four out of 35 individuals, this research found no evidence of those illnesses.

However, Raskovan noted that while early research was constrained by the technology at the time, both old and new findings paint a clearer picture of the factors that led to the downfall of Napoleon’s forces.

“The discovery of four different pathogens in such a significant number of individuals strongly indicates that a variety of infections were widespread,” he remarked.

Approximately 300,000 lives were lost before Napoleon’s army retreated. It appears even an emperor cannot conquer the realm of microorganisms.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

New DNA Evidence Uncovers the True Reasons Behind Napoleon’s Army Defeat

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Researchers have uncovered new DNA evidence that challenges established theories regarding Napoleon’s ill-fated 1812 invasion of Russia. As his Grand Army, comprising around 500,000 soldiers, advanced toward Moscow, it encountered severe resistance, dwindling resources, and the harshness of winter.

As the troops began their retreat, starvation and disease were rampant. Analyzing the remains of soldiers now indicates that multiple infectious diseases may have caused the significant loss of life in the French emperor’s army, rather than typhus being the singular primary cause of devastation.

A recent study led by Dr. Nicholas Raskovan at the Pasteur Institute in Paris involved extracting genetic material from the teeth of 13 soldiers interred in a mass grave in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Through ancient DNA sequencing, no evidence of typhus was identified. Instead of the long-suspected bacteria rickettsia, the team pinpointed two distinct pathogens: salmonella enterica, which causes enteric fever (like typhoid), and Borrelia recurrentis, linked to recurring fever.

Raskovan mentioned, “Our research alters the understanding of pathogens previously unrecognized,” as reported in BBC Science Focus.

Previous research employed PCR tests, akin to those used in contemporary COVID-19 testing, to search solely for specific microorganisms. Currently available technology enables scientists to “cast a wider net,” allowing them to detect DNA fragments from all microorganisms present, Raskovan explained.

“Thanks to advancements in technology, we now have insights that were unimaginable a decade ago,” Raskovan noted.

“When we integrate our prior and current research, we discover that four different diseases affected just a small group of individuals. This implies that a single pathogen didn’t account for all the 3,000 deaths, but rather, these individuals were infected with various pathogens.”

The DNA extracted from these teeth was analyzed using cutting-edge technology to identify pathogens, even in trace amounts. Credit: © European Commission / Claudio Centonze

In essence, the situation for Napoleon’s army during their retreat from Russia was dire, facilitating the spread of various diseases. It was almost inevitable that if one illness was avoided, another would take hold.

The research also highlighted the strain Borrelia recurrentis found at the site, which is genetically identical to those from Iron Age Britain, approximately 2,000 years ago, a lineage that has since vanished.

Raskovan stated, “This strain derives from an ancestor that either no longer exists or is currently unknown. This emphasizes the significant changes in sanitation over the past two centuries, particularly with the advent of antibiotics that have virtually eradicated this once prevalent disease.”

For Raskovan, these ancient microorganisms are more than peculiar findings; they are historical witnesses. “For those infected, it’s not surprising,” he remarked. “For me, it’s fulfilling to reconstruct history.”

“These pathogens provide us with a means to learn about past populations and their dynamics.”

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Massive Attack Withdraws Music from Spotify to Protest CEO Daniel Ek’s AI Army Investment

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The significant move was the latest part of founder Daniel Ek’s strategy to withdraw catalogs from Spotify in protest against his €600 million (£520 million) investment in military AI company Helsing.

In June, Ek’s venture capital firm, Prima Materia, spearheaded a funding round for the defense tech firm. Helsing’s software leverages AI to analyze battlefield sensor and weapon system data, facilitating real-time military decision-making. Additionally, they plan to develop their own military drone, the HX-2. Ek also serves as chairman of Helsing.

The band has announced their participation in Music for Genocide, a new initiative where over 400 artists and record labels are removing their music from Israeli streaming platforms.

In a statement, the band expressed:

In light of the substantial investments made by CEOs in companies unrelated to the initiative and engaged in producing military drones and AI technologies for fighter jets, the band has made separate requests to labels to remove their music from Spotify across all regions.

We believe that the historical effectiveness of artists’ actions during apartheid in South Africa serves as a precedent for addressing the war crimes and genocide currently perpetrated by the state of Israel, which underscores the moral duties of artists.

Moreover, the financial strain on artists has now combined with moral and ethical burdens, ultimately affecting the hard-earned income of fans and the creative endeavors of musicians.

Enough is enough.

Alternative methods must be explored.

になったんです。 English: The first thing you can do is to find the best one to do. A spokesperson for Spotify stated, “Spotify and Helsing are entirely separate entities.”

They further clarified that Helsing “has no involvement in Gaza” and that their operations “are focused on protecting Europe against threats from Ukraine.”

In a statement, Helsing asserted, “Currently, Helsing’s technology is not deployed in war zones outside of Ukraine, which is misleading.”

“Our technology is utilized in European countries for deterrence and to defend against Russian assaults on Ukraine.”

Australian psych-rock group King Gizzard and Canadian post-rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, alongside US alternative acts Deerhoof and Manchester’s Wu Lyf, have also joined in this effort.

In contrast to these bands, large-scale attacks cannot showcase their music on popular platforms like Bandcamp. After transitioning to Bandcamp, King Gizzard’s extensive catalog filled the top 27 spots on the site.

The No No Music for Genocide initiative features artists such as MJ Lenderman, Amyl and the Sniffers, Rina Sawayama, Jockstrap, Keiyaa, John Glacier, Erika de Casier, Smerz, and Wednesday. These artists have either modified their release territories or requested geo-blocking for their music.

Massive Attack has amplified their message through Instagram posts.

In 1991, the tragedy of apartheid violence in South Africa was alleviated from a distance through public boycotts, protests, and artists withdrawing their work. Complicity with such a regime was deemed unacceptable. The same principle applies to the state of Israeli atrocities in 2025. Many musicians are responding to the recently launched @Filmworkers4Palestine campaign, endorsed by 4,500 filmmakers, actors, industry workers, and institutions, supporting issues from @bds.movement, @NomusicForGenocide, and more. We urge all musicians to convert their grief, anger, and artistic contributions into consistent, rational, and impactful actions, aiming to end the suffering imposed on Palestinians for far too long.

Massive Attack, alongside Brian Eno, kNeecap, and Fontaine DC, have established a coalition of artists advocating for Palestinian rights, defending musicians against the threat of silence or the risk of career setbacks enforced by organizations such as the Israeli UK Lawfare Institute (UKLFI), which reportedly led Bob Billan in a controversial performance.

This coalition informed The Guardian: “This unified action aims to provide solidarity to artists who endure daily in the face of genocide, yet are apprehensive about using their platforms to voice their concerns due to the pervasive censorship in the industry and highly organized external legal pressures.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

DNA Analysis Uncovers the True Cause Behind the Demise of Napoleon’s Army in 1812

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Napoleon’s retreat from Russia in 1812 Ary Scheffer

Iandagnall Computing / Alamy Stock Photo

During the retreat of Napoleon’s formidable 500,000-strong army from Russia in 1812, nearly half of the troops fell victim to disease, starvation, and freezing temperatures. Recent advanced DNA analysis is shedding light on the pathogens involved in this tragic demise.

In the summer of 1812, Napoleon amassed an army of 600,000 to invade Russia but was compelled to withdraw from Moscow, depleting the city of resources, and retreat toward the Polish border for the winter. From October to December 1812, around 300,000 French soldiers perished from famine, exposure, and illness.

Survivor accounts from that era indicate that typhoid fever and trench fever were leading causes of mortality and suffering among the troops, a premise that was further validated by genetic testing conducted nearly two decades ago.

Recently, Nicholas Rascovan and his team at the Pasteur Institute in Paris analyzed DNA extracted from the teeth of 13 soldiers interred in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The research team identified the presence of Salmonella enterica, which triggers peritoneal fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, a louse-borne pathogen that leads to recurrent fever.

Unlike earlier studies that relied on methods to amplify specific DNA sequences, Rascovan and his colleagues utilized advanced metagenomic techniques to detect genetic material from pathogens in the samples, allowing for a more extensive analysis.

“Considering our findings, it is plausible that the deaths of these soldiers were due to a combination of various illnesses, including fatigue, colds, lactophoreal fever, and louse-borne recurrent fever,” Rascovan and his team noted in an unpublished report. The team opted not to comment further on the story.

While not always lethal, louse-borne recurrent fever can considerably debilitate individuals who are already in a weakened state, according to the researchers.

Sally Wasef from the Queensland Institute of Technology in Australia opines that historical accounts of symptoms may correspond to multiple infectious diseases beyond those identified in the recent study.

Traces of microbial DNA were isolated from ancient remains, according to Wasef. “In my opinion, this implies that the conclusions drawn are more suggestive than definitive.”

Rascovan and his colleagues also acknowledge the necessity of examining a greater number of soldiers who perished during 1812.

The research underscores the potential of novel methodologies to identify possible infectious agents in historical populations, Wasef explains. She advocates for applying these techniques to study diseases in populations post-contact in regions like the US or Australia.

“Such research holds great promise for uncovering the impact of disease on historical population declines, particularly when written records are sparse or biased,” states Wasef.

topic:

  • Archaeology/
  • Infectious diseases

Source: www.newscientist.com

Discovery of 2,070-year-old Roman wall constructed to confine gladiator Spartacus and his army in Italy

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Archaeologists have discovered a 2.7-kilometer (1.7-mile) long Roman defensive wall and moat in the southern Italian region of Calabria that was originally built by Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus to contain Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator and leader of a slave revolt, and his forces.

A 2,070-year-old Roman wall in the Dossone della Meria Forest in south-central Calabria, Italy. Image courtesy of the University of Kentucky.

Spartacus He was a Thracian gladiator who became one of the most famous leaders of a major slave revolt against the Roman Republic known as the Third Servile War (73-71 BC).

Born around 103 BC in what is now Bulgaria, he initially served in the Roman army before being captured and sold into slavery.

In 73 BC, Spartacus and about 70 fellow gladiators Run away They escaped from the gladiator training school in Capua and took refuge on Mount Vesuvius, where they were soon joined by other fugitive slaves.

Spartacus proved to be a skilled leader and tactician, defeating the Roman armies multiple times. Military expansion to an estimated 70,000 slaves and others.

He was not the only leader of the rebellion: two other fugitive gladiators, Crixus and Oenomaus, formed the remaining two factions of the Slave Triumvirate.

This rebellion posed a great threat to Rome, and the Senate sent several legions to put it down.

Despite initial success, Spartacus and his forces were eventually cornered by the Roman general Marcus Licinius Crassus.

In 71 BC, Spartacus' forces were defeated in a final battle in Lucania and he was killed, although his body was never found.

Although the Spartacus rebellion was not intended to be a social revolution, it has served as an inspiration to many throughout history as a symbol of resistance against oppression.

“We believe that Spartacus attacked the newly discovered wall to escape a trap set by Crassus,” said archaeologist Paolo Visona of the University of Kentucky.

The Dossone della Meria forest in south-central Calabria, Italy, is home to 2.7 km of ancient stone walls and earthworks.

Archaeologists also unearthed numerous broken iron weapons, including sword hilts, large curved blades, spear tips, spearheads and other metal fragments.

“The discovery was made possible thanks to a tip-off from local environmental groups who knew the wall existed but had no idea what it was,” Prof Visonagh said.

“We surveyed the walls and trenches using ground-penetrating radar, LIDAR, magnetic measurements and soil core sampling.”

Source: www.sci.news

The Giant of San Abbas Served as a Gathering Base for the West Saxon Army, According to Archaeologists

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A giant naked figure called Sarn Giant It was carved into the Dorset hillside not in prehistory or early modern times, as many think, but in the early Middle Ages, particularly in the 9th or 10th century, when there was much interest in the classical hero Hercules. It is said that it was at the beginning.to new paper in diary Speculum. He was probably created to mark the meeting place for West Saxon military meetings on the lands of the chieftains of the western provinces. By the mid-11th century, he was repurposed by monasteries founded or re-founded at his feet. St. Eadwolda convenient way to erase Hercules and declare the monastery's rights to the saint's relics.

Sarn Abbas Giant, Sarn Abbas, Dorset, England. Image credit: Ray Gaffney.

The Sarne Giant is a gigantic statue of a naked man carved into chalk rock on a hillside above the village of Sarne Abbas in Dorset, England.

He is approximately 55 meters (180 feet) tall, wielding a club in his right hand and extending his left arm.

The feet are turned to the right as if walking. His bald head is teardrop shaped with his eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth.

His naked torso shows an erect penis, nipples, ribs, belt, and belly button. The latter appears to have been incorporated into his phallus in 1908, and is now more prominent than originally.

When the Cerne Giant was first carved has been debated for centuries.

Dr Helen Gittos, a researcher at the University of Oxford, said: “It turns out that the Sarne Giant is just the most prominent of a whole group of early medieval features in the landscape.”

“While Hercules was well known in the Middle Ages as a flawed hero who was both admired and criticized, interest in Hercules in particular increased in the 9th century.”

“By at least the 10th century, Cern was in the hands of the elders of the western provinces, the leading lords of the kings of the south-west.”

“The Tern Giant's topographical location, on a spur projecting from a ridge, makes it a unique type of Anglo-Saxon meeting place in that it has spectacular views and is close to major highways.”

“Nearby Viking attacks, access to abundant fresh water, and local land supplies made this an ideal location to muster a West Saxon army against the backdrop of Hercules.”

In the 11th century, the monks worshiping at the monastery at the foot of Giant Hill reimagined the Giant of Sarne as a statue of their saint Eadwald, implicit in the lessons they read on that feast day. I mentioned this person.

This is one of the many ways the Cologne giants have been reinterpreted over the centuries, from Hercules to the Hermit.

“The identity of the Cern giant was already open to reinterpretation,” said Dr. Tom Morkom, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo.

“The monks of Cern would not have depicted their patron saint as a naked saint if they had carved their patron saint from scratch, but they gladly adopted him as a statue of Eadwald for their own purposes. .”

“Giant has long been loved and cherished, and that rediscovery continues today.”

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Thomas Morcombe and Helen Gittos. 2024. Giant of Cologne in the early Middle Ages. Speculum 99 (1): 1-38; doi: 10.1086/727992

Source: www.sci.news