1. On This Day: October 20
On October 20, 1973, special prosecutor Archibald Cox was dismissed. Cox had conducted a detailed investigation of the Watergate break-in that revealed that the burglary was just one of many possible abuses of power by the Nixon White House. Watch Secrets of the Dead Dick Cavett’s Watergate and learn more.
2. Mystery of King Tut’s Death Solved?
3,300 years later, King Tut still captivates. Despite claims that the king died after being struck by a speeding chariot, a new ‘virtual autopsy’ of the pharaoh suggests Tutankhamun died from genetic weakness caused by family inbreeding. Read more at Ancient Origins.
3. Roman Gladiators’ Eating Habits Uncovered
Roman gladiators ate a mostly vegetarian diet and drank ashes after training as a tonic. These findings are the result of anthropological investigations carried out on bones of warriors, found during excavations, in the ancient city of Ephesos. Read more at ScienceDaily.
4. Bust of Heracles in Kibyra
Excavations in the ancient city of Kibyra, which is located in the southern province of Burdur’s Gölhisar district, have unearthed a new bust of Heracles from the second century A.D., the front of which depicts the mythological hero vanquishing a lion as part of his 12 labors. Read more at Hurriyet Daily News.
5. Ancient Human Skulls Reveal When Europeans Could Drink Milk
Researchers say that the DNA from ancient human bones is shedding new light on the prehistory of Europe — when changes in skin color and lactose tolerance levels occurred are just a few of the discoveries. Read more at Live Science.