History & Archaeology

8 Most Intriguing Archaeological Findings of 2015

Published by
Rena Papa, B.A.

The current year is soon coming to an end. 2015 has offered us a handful of new and unexpected discoveries as well as the newest information on existing ones.

On the verge of the New Year, let’s see some of the most interesting archaeological findings of 2015.

1. Skeletons of nuns discovered in Britain

One of the most mysterious archaeological findings of 2015 was the discovery of the skeletons of 92 nuns at Littlemore Priory in Oxfordshire. They date from the time the priory was founded in 1110 to its dissolution by Cardinal Wolsey in 1525. The skeletons were found in a burial ground surrounding the priory.

According to the researchers, these nuns were punished for their sins by having their priory dissolved and their prioress pensioned off.

2. Stone discs found in Russia

Several mysterious stone discs have been discovered in Volgograd, Russia. According to the investigators, the discs contain a high-density metal called tungsten. Scientists have been conducting research in order to define their age, material, and origin.

3. Sword with an enigmatic message

A 13th-century sword containing an inexplicable 18-letter message was found in the River Witham near Lincoln in England in 1825.

Scientists have not been able to crack the cryptic code “NDXOXCHWDRGHDXORVI,” written in an unknown language. That’s why this year the British Library appealed to the public for help in order to solve this 800-year-old mystery.

4. A burial site in Frankfurt, Germany

The mysterious medieval findings of two dead bodies keep puzzling researchers. The bodies of two children were found in 1992 in Frankfurt, Germany.

However, the results of the research have only recently been announced: the children were buried between 700 and 730 AD, one with Christian burial and the other with pagan burial. A royal chapel was placed around their grave long after their burial. Further research remains to be conducted.

5. The Knockhouse fairy fort

The Knockhouse fairy fort in Waterford, Ireland, is a circular settlement dating back to 800 AD. This farmstead is considered to be a special archaeological site in the area, however, a US Pharmaceutical Company has decided to build a new factory in this exact location in 2015.

Locals keep warning that back luck will befall if anyone tries to destroy or clear this ancient dwelling.

6. Precious ingots discovered in Sicily

One of the most significant archaeological findings of 2015 has been made off the coast of Sicily. Marine archaeologists discovered 39 ingots made from orichalcum, a rare cast metal of ancient times, connected to the legendary city of Atlantis.

These valuable ingots were probably being brought to Sicily from Greece or Asia Minor.

7. ‘Hand of Glory’

A very well preserved mummified hand called Hand of Glory was found in the wall of a cottage in Castleton, England. According to Sabine Baring-Gould, it “is the hand of a man who has been hung”. Its preparation required a long process and its purpose was to help thieves during their work.

8. Triceratops horn

Until now, researchers believed that dinosaurs died 65 million years ago. Nevertheless, a Triceratops (“three-horned face”) brow horn that was unearthed in 2012 in Dawson County, Montana, is estimated to date back 33,500 years.

C-14 dating test results, support the theory that humans and dinosaurs walked on earth at the same time. As a result, researchers recently began examining all dinosaur samples from scratch.

via Ancient Origins

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Published by
Rena Papa, B.A.