Image from Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut
1. New Species of Ancient Human Found in Ethiopia
In the Afar Region of Ethiopia, scientists discovered jaw bones and teeth that date to between 3.3 and 3.5 million years old and have both ape and human-like features. This new hominin, called Australopithecus deyiremeda, was alive at the same time as several other early human species. The study is published in the journal Nature. Read more at BBC.
2. Murder in the Middle Pleistocene Era
Using 3-D imaging to re-create the injuries on a skull, a team of scientists says they have discovered evidence of a 435,000 year-old murder, one of the earliest on record. The fossil remains are ancestors of the Neanderthals. Read more at NPR.
3. Nebraska Bans Death Penalty
Nebraska became the first conservative state in 40 years to ban the death penalty after legislators voted to override the governor’s veto. Read more at The New York Times.
Watch Secrets of the Dead: Executed in Error and learn about an American doctor who was convicted in England of poisoning and dismembering his wife. It was a landmark case – the first trial by media, and the first to be dominated by forensic science. Forensics conducted recently revealed key new evidence.
4. Human Leg Mummified to Test Ancient Egyptian Techniques
A team of scientists obtained two fresh human legs from a cadaver donated to research. They used a “dry heat” method to “naturally” mummify one of them. On the other leg, they used natron, a soda ash and sodium bicarbonate mix that occurs in nature and was used by ancient Egyptians for mummification. Read more at Smithonian.com.
Watch Secrets of the Dead: Ultimate Tut to learn what makes the mummy of Tutankhamun unique.
5. The Science Behind an Indian Heat Wave
Although high temperatures are commonplace during the summer season between April and June, more than 1,100 people have died as result of a heat wave in India. The Wall Street Journal explains why it’s become so hot in recent days and why Indian heat waves are different.
Did we miss anything you’ve read or watched? Share Secrets in the News you’ve found this week!