Tag Archives: walls

Scientists Extract Ancient Human DNA from Cave Walls: A Breakthrough in Archaeological Research

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For the first time in history, researchers have successfully extracted ancient human DNA directly from cave walls. While their findings do not definitively connect ancient DNA preservation to the creation of cave art, they reveal that traces of human DNA can persist on cave surfaces for thousands of years.

Representative rock art from 11 sites analyzed by Bossams Mesa et al. Image credit: Bossoms Mesa et al. 10.1038/s41467-026-74234-2.

A significant challenge in human prehistory research is linking cultural artifacts to the groups that created them.

Ancient DNA studies have bridged this gap by analyzing DNA from skeletons, sediments, and increasingly, from the artifacts themselves.

However, rock art—crucial to understanding human culture—has typically eluded paleogenetic analysis due to its lack of direct connection to excavated cave floors.

This limitation has hindered discussions about authorship, including debates on whether Neanderthals were responsible for rock art alongside early modern humans.

“Some of the art was applied to cave walls by spraying or rubbing pigments onto the surface,” explained Dr. Hipolito Collado Giraldo, an archaeologist and rock art expert for the Extremadura government in Spain.

“Given the extreme sensitivity of current DNA analysis techniques, we aimed to determine whether this contact could leave DNA traces in the rock art, potentially revealing the genetic profiles of its creators.”

Dr. Corrado Giraldo and a team from Germany, Spain, and Portugal assessed the DNA preservation of pigment samples collected from 24 rock art panels in 11 caves across Spain and Portugal.

The paintings, primarily in red ocher, featured simple marks (from nine locations), dots, hand-drawn stencils (Cave of Maltraviso, Spain), and figurative images (Cave of Altamira, Spain).

The team also analyzed unpainted sections of the cave walls, sediments, animal bones, and bird bone fragments used for spraying pigments.

The most promising results were found in the Escoural Cave in Portugal, where samples taken from colored calcite shells unexpectedly yielded genetic material from one or more humans, with no animal DNA detected.

Similar findings emerged from the uncolored wall samples taken in the same cave.

Considering that sediments and environmental sources typically contain diverse animal DNA, the researchers concluded that the human DNA found in Escoural Cave likely originated from direct contact rather than surrounding soil.

Samples from Escoural and three unpigmented wall samples from Covalón Cave in Asturias revealed mixed human and animal DNA, indicating indirect routes of contact, like people transporting sediment on their hands and feet.

In Cobaron, genetic analysis of two wall samples linked their DNA to Western hunter-gatherers who lived in Europe approximately 5,200 to 16,700 years ago, showing probable female origins. Another wall sample from Escoural Cave indicated a male source.

Despite extensive research, usable ancient human DNA was recovered from only one of the 24 painted panels, and none from the airbrushed pigment of Altamira’s bird bones. This suggests that protected pigmented cave surfaces hold minimal detectable genetic material over extended periods.

Consequently, the study could not substantiate who created the paintings, including whether the DNA near the Escoural pigments belonged to the artist or resulted from unrelated human activity in the cave.

“While we cannot conclusively link the ancient human DNA found to the creation of rock art, this is the first evidence that human DNA has been preserved on cave walls for thousands of years,” noted Alba Bossams Mesa, a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

“It’s exciting to think we may have discovered a novel approach to studying prehistoric human existence.”

“This study fundamentally alters our understanding of where ancient DNA can be located,” said paleogeneticist Dr. Matthias Mayer of the Max Planck Institute.

“We were surprised to discover that ancient DNA is recoverable not just from pigment samples but also from cave walls with no visible evidence of prior human activity.”

“The preserved human DNA on cave walls exhibits significant diversity,” Bossams-Mesa shared.

“When this DNA survives, it tells a compelling narrative. While these initial findings are promising, our priority is to enhance our methods and identify conditions favorable for higher success rates.”

“This is just the beginning. We now understand that cave walls serve as genetic archives of past human existence,” Dr. Meyer confirmed.

“The next phase involves testing additional locations, art styles, and techniques that minimally invasive sampling allows, especially focusing on hand-painted stencils and figurative art in well-preserved caves.”

“With ongoing research, we may uncover the identities of some cave painting creators. It may even lead us to identify the faces, or at least the genetic profiles, of the artists behind these works.”

The findings were documented in a research paper published in Nature Communications on June 23rd.

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A. Bossams Mesa et al. 2026. Investigating ancient human DNA left on cave walls and rock paintings. Nat Commun 17, 5561;doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-74234-2

Source: www.sci.news

Young Iranians Strive to Overcome Internet Blackout: It Feels Like Being Trapped by Walls

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a Amir* hasn’t slept in days. From his apartment in northern Tehran, the 23-year-old has spent nights searching for a vulnerable digital connection that can temporarily bypass the internet blackouts.

For 13 days, Iran has faced a nearly complete internet shutdown, severely limiting access to information since the onset of Israel’s strike until the latter part of Wednesday. However, a group of young Iranians tirelessly works to ensure their voices are heard beyond their borders.

“Using a VPN is no longer effective. To navigate this internet blackout, we’re relying on a special proxy link—essentially a ‘secret tunnel’ that channels messages through non-Iranian servers.

“These links are built into the app’s features […] They direct traffic from internal servers. Each link only works for a few hours before it fails. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to communicate with my people.”

The Iranian government blames external forces for restricting internet access during the conflict with Israel, claiming the network is being exploited for military purposes. A local source informed the Guardian that only correspondents from approved foreign media can access the internet.

While domestic messaging apps are operational, many young Iranians lack confidence in their security.

Amir remarked: “We have local apps, but they’re utterly unreliable. The government takes every opportunity to surveil us, particularly targeting student leaders.”

Last week, Amnesty International urged the authorities to lift the communication blackouts, stating it would “prevent individuals from finding safe routes, accessing vital resources, and sharing information.”

Another student leader, Leila*, 22, residing in Abbas Abado, north of Tehran, mentioned that she managed to connect again during the shutdown thanks to assistance from abroad. “My boyfriend in Europe sent me a composition link via text. Without it, nothing works. The internet sporadically operates for a few minutes before shutting down again.”

The blackout not only severed connections with the outside world but also complicated life amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. “It feels like being enclosed by a wall,” remarked Tehran student Arash*. “We’ve lost the ability to assist each other with independent news while the sound of bombs contrasts sharply with the silence of state media.”

For Amir, the most alarming aspect is how the perception of war is becoming normalized. “We’re starting to treat this as normal,” he expressed, “but war is anything but normal.” He noted their recognition that the rattling of windows signifies either an air raid or an explosion.

The blackouts intensified his fears amid the war. “That’s what erases us… it makes us invisible. Yet here we are. We still wish to connect with a free world.”

* The name has been changed

Source: www.theguardian.com

Archaeologists Uncover New Insights into the Construction and Purpose of the Gobi Walls

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The Gobi Wall is a 321 km long edifice constructed from soil, stone, and wood, located in the Gobi Highlands desert of Mongolia. It represents the least understood segment of the medieval wall system that extends from China to Mongolia. In a recent study, archaeologists sought to uncover information about the builders, purpose, and timeline of this structure. Their findings indicate that the principal structure and its usage evolved during the Xi Xia dynasty (1038-1227 CE), a time notable for its sophisticated frontier defense systems and significant geopolitical transformations.

Aerial drone photograph depicting preserved stone segments of the Gobi walls traversing the hillside. Image credit: Golan et al. , doi: 10.3390/land14051087.

Stretching 321 km through Mongolia’s highland desert, the Gobi Wall forms part of a comprehensive wall system that once extended across China to Mongolia.

Previously, its origins, functions, and historical significance remained largely uncharted.

“The medieval wall system spans roughly 4,000 km across the vast territories of northern China and Mongolia, making it a distinct segment of Siberia,” remarked Professor Gideon Sheraha Ravi from Hebrew University and his collaborators.

“It stands out as one of East Asia’s most expansive yet mysterious architectural structures.”

“In recent years, numerous projects have delved into various sections of this wall line, yielding substantial research findings.”

“Such studies have established that this extensive system of earthen walls was constructed by different empires from the 10th to the 13th centuries.”

“Among the various parts of the system, the segment within the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia is the least explored and, as of yet, unrecognized.”

“Our investigation concentrates on a 321-km segment of this wall line in the Omnogovi region of Mongolia, which we refer to as the Gobi Wall.”

In this study, Professor Shelach-Lavi and his co-authors uncovered new insights into the building and purposes of the wall.

They found that the wall and its associated garrison were primarily constructed during the Xi Xia period (1038-1227 CE), a dynasty governed by the Tangot peoples in western China and southern Mongolia.

This era is marked by the growth of frontier defense strategies amid considerable geopolitical upheaval.

Contrary to conventional perspectives that view walls solely as defensive constructions, this research emphasizes the multifaceted roles of the Gobi walls in boundary integration, resource regulation, and imperial governance.

While the main construction and habitation phases align with the Xi Xia dynasty, the research also refuted evidence for consistent habitation of this remote area from the 2nd century BC to the 19th century AD.

The fortress comprises a plunging earth foundation bolstered by stone and wooden reinforcements, showcasing the adaptive use of local materials within this arid, isolated setting.

Additionally, ecological and spatial assessments from this study indicate that the wall routes were strategically selected based on resource accessibility, particularly water and timber.

The fort’s location and garrison positioning utilized natural geographical features such as mountain paths and sand dunes to enhance the wall’s effectiveness.

“This study challenges long-held beliefs regarding the empire’s frontier systems in Asia,” stated Professor Sheraha Ravi.

“The Gobi Wall was not merely a barrier, but an adaptive mechanism for regulating movement, commerce, and territorial authority in a demanding environment.”

This finding sheds light on how environmental adaptation and state power interacted within medieval empires, offering broader insights into ancient infrastructure and its relevance to contemporary political and ecological contexts.

“This study advocates for a wider rethinking of medieval frontiers, not just as static defensive barriers, but as dynamic management frameworks,” asserted the archaeologist.

“The Gobi Wall illustrates the Xi Xia Statecraft model, which uses architectural endeavors to manage population dynamics and territorial delineations.”

“Such an understanding aligns with a theoretical framework that perceives frontiers as zones of control and interaction, rather than rigid dividers, prompting a broader comparative analysis throughout Eurasia.”

The findings were published in a paper in the journal land.

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Dangoran et al. 2025. Exploring the Gobi Wall: Archaeology of a large medieval frontier system in the Mongol Desert. land 14(5): 1087; doi: 10.3390/land14051087

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists unearth ancient Pompeii temple adorned with blue walls dating back 2,000 years

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Italian archaeologists have unearthed the so-called Sacramento in Pompeii, the ancient Roman city frozen in time after the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

A 2,000-year-old sacramental vessel discovered in Pompeii, Italy. Image courtesy of Pompeii Archaeological Park.

The newly discovered sacrarium – an ancient temple used for ritual activities and storing sacred objects – covers an area of approximately 8 square meters.

The chamber was excavated in the center of Pompeii by Dr. Gabriel Suftriegel and his colleagues from the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

“Against the blue background of the wall, two female figures are depicted on either side of a central niche,” the archaeologists said in a statement.

“The figures in the side niches represent the horae, the four seasons, while the figures in the central panel represent an allegory of agriculture and shepherding, shown with the symbols of the plough and pedum (a short staff used by shepherds and hunters).”

“The blue color seen in this room is rarely seen in Pompeii frescoes and was usually used in more elaborately decorated rooms.”

In the sacristy, researchers found 15 transport amphorae and a set of bronze objects, including two jugs and two lamps.

They also unearthed large amounts of ancient building materials that can be used in the renovation work.

“A pile of empty oyster shells was found by the front door. The shells had probably been crushed into small pieces and added to the plaster or mortar,” the scientists said.

“The room was found in a building located on the southern side of a block (insula) belonging to the secondary area of the larger domus,” the researchers added.

“The structures discovered include a bathhouse, which is still being excavated, and a large reception room decorated with black frescoes overlooking a courtyard with a staircase leading to the first floor of the complex.”

“These excavations are part of a wider project aimed at strengthening the boundaries between excavated and unexcavated areas and improving the hydrogeological structure in order to more effectively and sustainably protect Pompeii’s vast archaeological site (more than 13,000 rooms in 1,070 residential units, public areas and sacred sites).”

Team paper Published in Electronic Journal Scavi di Pompei.

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Gabriel Suchtriegel others. Nostalgia Land: District 9 of Pompeii, 10 Sacred Sites on the Island. Electronic Journal Scavi di Pompeipublished online June 3, 2024

Source: www.sci.news

Study: Certain plants are more effective than others in removing air pollution through green walls

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Biologists are University of Surrey They investigated interspecific variation in particulate matter accumulation, washout, and retention in 10 broad-leaved plants, focusing on leaf characteristics.

thomson other. We found that the interaction between macromorphology and micromorphology in green-walled plant species determines their particulate matter removal ability.Image credit: Thomson other. 2024., doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170950.

Green wall is a vertical system that has received particular attention because it can be installed without occupying additional space at street level.

They also offer other benefits, such as reduced dependence on existing soil conditions and additional ecosystem services.

Green wall is a term that includes walls covered with all forms of vegetation.

Green facades and living walls are two types of green walls, where green facades usually include climbing plants, whereas living walls include planting materials and plants to support a more diverse variety of plants. Includes technology.

The reduction of air pollutants by green walls depends on several factors such as plant type, barrier dimensions, leaf area index, humidity, wind speed, and orientation of the location.

“By planting vertically against green walls, communities can purify the air without taking up too much street space,” said Mamatha Thomson, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Surrey.

“Our study suggests that this process depends not only on leaf shape but also on the micromorphological properties of the leaf surface.”

“We believe that the right mix of species creates the most effective green walls. We look forward to conducting further research to see if we are right. .”

In this study, Thomson et al. planted 10 species: Evergreen Candy Tuft (Iberis sempervirens), Ivy (hedera helix) And that Wild marjoram (Ornamental pill beetle)in a custom-built 1.4 meter green wall.

The leaves of the evergreens candytuft and ivy were found to be particularly good at trapping pollutant particles, both large and small.

Meanwhile, rain was able to wash most of the pollutants from the lavender's hairy leaves.

Candytuft and marjoram also performed well in washing away small pollution particles.

“We hope that urban planners and infrastructure experts can use our findings to think more carefully about what they plant,” said Prashant Kumar, a professor at the University of Surrey.

“Having a green wall is a great way to remove pollution, but what you plant on top of it can make a big difference to its success.”

of result It was published in the magazine Total environmental science.

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Mamatha Thomson other. 2024. Investigating the interplay between particulate matter scavenging, scavenging, and leaf properties in green-walled species. Total environmental science 921: 170950; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170950

Source: www.sci.news