The world’s oldest leather shoes were, until recently, the pair found with the body of Ötzi, the famous Iceman, dated at about 5,300 years ago. But a cave in Armenia has yielded a leather shoe that is about 200 years older than Ötzi’s footwear.
The shoe, actually more of a moccasin, appears to be made of cowhide cut in a single piece and laced together with leather thongs. It is relatively small (U.S. women’s size 7 or a European size 37), and may have been worn by a woman, a small man, or a teenager.
The shoe is remarkably similar to footwear worn until the 1950s in the Aran Islands west of Ireland, and also to a traditional Balkan shoe known as an opanke, which is still worn as part of traditional costumes worn at regional festivals. Researchers say that nearly identical shoes were worn across Europe over the course of thousands of years.
The shoe is currently housed at the Institute of Archaeology in Yerevan, but may be sent to either Switzerland or Germany to be properly preserved and then returned to Armenia.
Strictly speaking, while this shoe, along with Ötzi’s shoe, are the oldest still in existence at this time, there is evidence based on the weakening of small toe bones in ancient fossils that indicate humans may have been wearing shoes as long as 40,000 years ago. It is highly unlikely, however, that shoes that old would have survived, so for the time being, at least, the Armenian shoes hold the record as the world’s oldest leather shoes.
For more information, go here
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012
World’s Oldest (Still Burning) Neon Light
Somebody forgot to turn out the light. Then they built a wall that covered it up. That was more than 70 years ago.
It might have stayed hidden forever, but the new owner of the fabled Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles, California decided to undertake a massive restoration of the old building. There, behind a wall in the first floor women’s restroom, workmen removed a panel and discovered the bulb. To everyone’s surprise, it was still burning.
The new owner, Andrew Meieran, believes the light was installed in 1935 when the building was being re-decorated as a forest-themed restaurant. Neon panels were installed to light translucent forest murals throughout the restaurant, including the restrooms.
At some point in the restaurant’s history, the restroom was partitioned in order to create a storage area. The light’s nook was covered over in plastic and plywood, then forgotten. Now that it has been rediscovered, Mr. Meieran plans to place a replica transparency over it.
Experts say that neon lights rarely survive for more than 40 years, and agree that this particular light may be the oldest of its kind in the world. Mr. Meieran speculates that the hidden bulb may have cost as much as $17,000 over the estimated 77 years of its life.
If you’d like to see a great series of photos of the light and learn a little more about the history of Clifton’s Cafeteria, visit here
It might have stayed hidden forever, but the new owner of the fabled Clifton’s Cafeteria in Los Angeles, California decided to undertake a massive restoration of the old building. There, behind a wall in the first floor women’s restroom, workmen removed a panel and discovered the bulb. To everyone’s surprise, it was still burning.
The new owner, Andrew Meieran, believes the light was installed in 1935 when the building was being re-decorated as a forest-themed restaurant. Neon panels were installed to light translucent forest murals throughout the restaurant, including the restrooms.
At some point in the restaurant’s history, the restroom was partitioned in order to create a storage area. The light’s nook was covered over in plastic and plywood, then forgotten. Now that it has been rediscovered, Mr. Meieran plans to place a replica transparency over it.
Experts say that neon lights rarely survive for more than 40 years, and agree that this particular light may be the oldest of its kind in the world. Mr. Meieran speculates that the hidden bulb may have cost as much as $17,000 over the estimated 77 years of its life.
If you’d like to see a great series of photos of the light and learn a little more about the history of Clifton’s Cafeteria, visit here
Monday, May 28, 2012
The World’s Oldest Musical Instruments
Somewhere between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago, someone in what is now Germany was producing and playing flutes made from the bones of large birds. And even more remarkably, they were also creating flutes made from sections of mammoth ivory carefully fitted together in such a way that the resulting tube was airtight.
So far, a total of eight flutes have been found. Four were made from the wing bones of swans and griffon vultures, and another four were created using sections of ivory, presumably from mammoth tusks. The most complete remains indicate that this particular flute would have been about 14 inches (34 centimeters) long and had five finger holes carved with stone tools. There were two notches at the playing end to allow the musician to blow into the hollow tube. One of the bird bone flutes had only three finger holes, but a replica demonstrated that it was capable of making four distinct notes and at least three overtones.
Even more impressive are the ivory flutes, which display a surprisingly sophisticated technology. Mammoth tusks are curved, but the flute-maker knew how to straighten the ivory into straight segments, which were cut into sections. The flute-maker then drilled finger holes into the sections and carefully refitted the sections, creating airtight seals. These flutes are smaller than those made with bird bones, but in both cases, the knowledge needed to make the instruments was very sophisticated indeed.
Bear in mind, though, that our ancestors might have been beating sticks or bones together, banging on logs, or even clapping their hands to create rhythms long before these flutes were created. And, of course, since these ancient instruments are obviously not the first of their kind to be created, flute-making may possibly extend several thousand years before they were made. We just don’t know.
So far, a total of eight flutes have been found. Four were made from the wing bones of swans and griffon vultures, and another four were created using sections of ivory, presumably from mammoth tusks. The most complete remains indicate that this particular flute would have been about 14 inches (34 centimeters) long and had five finger holes carved with stone tools. There were two notches at the playing end to allow the musician to blow into the hollow tube. One of the bird bone flutes had only three finger holes, but a replica demonstrated that it was capable of making four distinct notes and at least three overtones.
Even more impressive are the ivory flutes, which display a surprisingly sophisticated technology. Mammoth tusks are curved, but the flute-maker knew how to straighten the ivory into straight segments, which were cut into sections. The flute-maker then drilled finger holes into the sections and carefully refitted the sections, creating airtight seals. These flutes are smaller than those made with bird bones, but in both cases, the knowledge needed to make the instruments was very sophisticated indeed.
Bear in mind, though, that our ancestors might have been beating sticks or bones together, banging on logs, or even clapping their hands to create rhythms long before these flutes were created. And, of course, since these ancient instruments are obviously not the first of their kind to be created, flute-making may possibly extend several thousand years before they were made. We just don’t know.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The World’s Oldest Man-Made Fiber
A team of archaeologists analyzing clay samples for tree pollen in Dzudzuana Cave in the Republic of Georgia made a surprising discovery: The oldest flax fibers made by humans. And there were quite a few of them, nearly 800 in all.
The fibers are more than 34,000 years old. Previously, the oldest known evidence for fiber-making was found at the 28,000-year-old site of Dolni Vestonice in the Czech Republic.
These fibers are not evidence for early farming, since flax grew wild in the area. But they do indicate that the people living in the cave were already experienced in gathering and working with the fibers, possibly to make thread for sewing, or even to weave cloth or other textiles. Some of the fibers appear to have been dyed in various colors such as yellow, green, blue, violet, red and black. For some, this means that the people who occupied the cave might have been producing colorful fabrics.
These fibers give us evidence that people had been using plant fibers to make thread, ropes and twines for some time before they themselves were created. Because plant remains are so rarely preserved, it may be some time before earlier samples are discovered.
Photos and more information on this important discovery can be found here
The fibers are more than 34,000 years old. Previously, the oldest known evidence for fiber-making was found at the 28,000-year-old site of Dolni Vestonice in the Czech Republic.
These fibers are not evidence for early farming, since flax grew wild in the area. But they do indicate that the people living in the cave were already experienced in gathering and working with the fibers, possibly to make thread for sewing, or even to weave cloth or other textiles. Some of the fibers appear to have been dyed in various colors such as yellow, green, blue, violet, red and black. For some, this means that the people who occupied the cave might have been producing colorful fabrics.
These fibers give us evidence that people had been using plant fibers to make thread, ropes and twines for some time before they themselves were created. Because plant remains are so rarely preserved, it may be some time before earlier samples are discovered.
Photos and more information on this important discovery can be found here
Sunday, April 29, 2012
The World’s Oldest Campfire
Some of our ancient relatives may have been using fire for at least a million years, and probably longer.
When scientists used microscope analysis to study plant ash and charred bone fragments from the famous Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa, they discovered that the remains were about a million years old. They also concluded that the materials were burned inside the cave rather than being carried there by wind or water. The debris was found alongside stone tools, suggesting that humans had built the fire.
Some scientists believe that early man’s use of fire may have influenced human evolution. At the very least, fires helped humans stay warm, kept predators at bay, and might have facilitated the development of communication when early people gathered around the campfires. Fire also allowed people to cook their food, which made it more digestible.
Previous to the Wonderwerk find, the earliest evidence for human use of fire only dated back to about 700,000 years ago, so this new discovery has caused a bit of a sensation.
For more information about this discovery and possible implications, go here
When scientists used microscope analysis to study plant ash and charred bone fragments from the famous Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa, they discovered that the remains were about a million years old. They also concluded that the materials were burned inside the cave rather than being carried there by wind or water. The debris was found alongside stone tools, suggesting that humans had built the fire.
Some scientists believe that early man’s use of fire may have influenced human evolution. At the very least, fires helped humans stay warm, kept predators at bay, and might have facilitated the development of communication when early people gathered around the campfires. Fire also allowed people to cook their food, which made it more digestible.
Previous to the Wonderwerk find, the earliest evidence for human use of fire only dated back to about 700,000 years ago, so this new discovery has caused a bit of a sensation.
For more information about this discovery and possible implications, go here
Friday, April 20, 2012
Gobekli Tepe - The World’s Oldest Temple?
Believed to be more than 11,000 years old, Gobekli Tepe in southern Turkey is currently believed to be the world’s oldest temple. It is also a monument to the extraordinary artistic and engineering skills of its builders.
The Gobekli Tepe site is located near the Turkish city of Urfa. Only a tiny portion of the site has been excavated. So far excavators have found at least 20 stone rings, with one circle built inside another. These rings range from 30 to 100 feet (10 to 30) meters in diameter and are built with carefully carved limestone blocks.
The carving of the T-shaped blocks outlining the circles is strikingly precise, as are the sculptures of people and animals carved on the edges of both the blocks and the two 18-foot (5.5 m) tall pillars located in the center of the rings. So far, at least, no signs of living quarters have been found at Gobekli Tepe, and there are no hearths within the rings. It seems odd that even though there are signs that this structure was a major pilgrimage center, no one seems to have lived near it. Adding to the mystery, buildings dated at 14,000 to 15,000 years old were found at the base of the hill on which Gobekli Tepe is located.
Analysis of obsidian tools found at the site shows that the obsidian came from areas as far as 300 miles (500 km) away from the site. Experts are divided as to whether people actually came from that far away to visit the temple complex, or whether the obsidian was traded from far-away locations.
Gobekli Tepi is well designed and superbly executed. Its design and construction are remarkably advanced considering that it was supposedly constructed by hunter-gatherers. I do not believe that this technology emerged full-blown at Gobekli Tepi. I hope that archaeologists are searching for even earlier temple complexes that might reveal how the technology developed that eventually resulted in Gobekli Tepi. This beautiful and complex temple area is currently believed to be the oldest of its kind, but it seems fairly obvious that there may well be earlier examples still to be found.
There is a great site with information and photographs if you would like to explore further. Just visit here
The Gobekli Tepe site is located near the Turkish city of Urfa. Only a tiny portion of the site has been excavated. So far excavators have found at least 20 stone rings, with one circle built inside another. These rings range from 30 to 100 feet (10 to 30) meters in diameter and are built with carefully carved limestone blocks.
The carving of the T-shaped blocks outlining the circles is strikingly precise, as are the sculptures of people and animals carved on the edges of both the blocks and the two 18-foot (5.5 m) tall pillars located in the center of the rings. So far, at least, no signs of living quarters have been found at Gobekli Tepe, and there are no hearths within the rings. It seems odd that even though there are signs that this structure was a major pilgrimage center, no one seems to have lived near it. Adding to the mystery, buildings dated at 14,000 to 15,000 years old were found at the base of the hill on which Gobekli Tepe is located.
Analysis of obsidian tools found at the site shows that the obsidian came from areas as far as 300 miles (500 km) away from the site. Experts are divided as to whether people actually came from that far away to visit the temple complex, or whether the obsidian was traded from far-away locations.
Gobekli Tepi is well designed and superbly executed. Its design and construction are remarkably advanced considering that it was supposedly constructed by hunter-gatherers. I do not believe that this technology emerged full-blown at Gobekli Tepi. I hope that archaeologists are searching for even earlier temple complexes that might reveal how the technology developed that eventually resulted in Gobekli Tepi. This beautiful and complex temple area is currently believed to be the oldest of its kind, but it seems fairly obvious that there may well be earlier examples still to be found.
There is a great site with information and photographs if you would like to explore further. Just visit here
Saturday, April 14, 2012
The World’s Oldest Preserved Forests (Yes, there are two of them)
The record for the world’s oldest preserved forest turns out to be a tie. Both forests are about 300 million years old, and were found half a world apart.
The first, reported in 2007, was discovered in a coal mine located in Illinois. This one is also the largest ever found and is believed to cover an area of about 6 square miles (10 km). It was found more than 100 feet below the surface during mining operations. The remains are a treasure-trove of examples of extinct species, with club mosses which grew to over 40 feet high along with tree ferns, shrubs, and giant horsetails.
The huge size and diversity of the forest is allowing researchers to gain significant insights into the complex make-up of these ancient forests. For more information on the Illinois forest, click here
The second forest, located near Wuda in northern China, was found beneath a coal mine. It is much smaller in size than the Illinois find, but exhibits a wide diversity of plant life. Researchers studied three different sites totaling about 1,000 square meters and found that each site was a bit different than the others in terms of plant composition.
The Wuda forest was buried by a layer of volcanic ash, which preserved not only trunks and branches, but leaves and even pinecones. The Illinois forest apparently fell victim to an earthquake which which caused the area to drop below sea level. The forest was then buried in mud, which preserved the plants.
The fact that the two forests were found in or near coal mines is not too surprising. Both forests flourished during the Carboniferous period, which is when most of the world’s coal deposits were formed.
For more information on the Wuda forest, click here
The first, reported in 2007, was discovered in a coal mine located in Illinois. This one is also the largest ever found and is believed to cover an area of about 6 square miles (10 km). It was found more than 100 feet below the surface during mining operations. The remains are a treasure-trove of examples of extinct species, with club mosses which grew to over 40 feet high along with tree ferns, shrubs, and giant horsetails.
The huge size and diversity of the forest is allowing researchers to gain significant insights into the complex make-up of these ancient forests. For more information on the Illinois forest, click here
The second forest, located near Wuda in northern China, was found beneath a coal mine. It is much smaller in size than the Illinois find, but exhibits a wide diversity of plant life. Researchers studied three different sites totaling about 1,000 square meters and found that each site was a bit different than the others in terms of plant composition.
The Wuda forest was buried by a layer of volcanic ash, which preserved not only trunks and branches, but leaves and even pinecones. The Illinois forest apparently fell victim to an earthquake which which caused the area to drop below sea level. The forest was then buried in mud, which preserved the plants.
The fact that the two forests were found in or near coal mines is not too surprising. Both forests flourished during the Carboniferous period, which is when most of the world’s coal deposits were formed.
For more information on the Wuda forest, click here
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