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Stuff You Missed in History Class
Unearthed! Year-end 2024, Part 1
Jan 13, 2025
Delve into captivating discoveries of 2024, including the exhilarating unearthing of shipwrecks and possibly original Picassos. A long-lost shipwreck mystery gets solved just minutes into a search! Plus, history intertwines with modern technology as ruby slippers shatter auction records. The mysteries of Pompeii and the significance of Stonehenge reveal ancient connections that shaped communities. Uncovering artistic treasures, listeners are drawn into the intriguing world of lost art and heritage restoration—where every artifact tells a unique story.
46:30
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Quick takeaways
- The potential discovery of Amelia Earhart's plane revives interest in her enigmatic disappearance and ongoing aviation mysteries.
- Recent DNA analysis of Pompeii victims reveals complex social dynamics, challenging former interpretations of their identities and relationships.
Deep dives
Amelia Earhart's Flight Discovery
Recent sonar imaging by Deep Sea Vision suggests the discovery of a potential site for Amelia Earhart's plane, a Lockheed Electra. Located in the ocean between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, the imagery reveals a blob shaped like the airplane. While the CEO of Deep Sea Vision acknowledged this could be natural formations like rocks, the excitement about the find highlights ongoing interests in Earhart's mysterious disappearance. This update brings a renewed focus on efforts to solve one of aviation's great mysteries.
Record Auction for Ruby Slippers
The iconic ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz' have set a record for the most expensive piece of memorabilia sold at auction, fetching $28 million. This significant amount surpassed both the expected auction estimate and the funds raised by the Judy Garland Museum, which aimed to acquire the slippers. Although the museum was hopeful to purchase them given its historical connection to the shoes, the auction winner remains anonymous. This transaction emphasizes the deep cultural significance these slippers hold and their influence on pop culture.
Research on Terracotta Army Finds
Recent discoveries within the Terracotta Army reveal a new high-ranking military officer statue from the tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. This addition adds to the already significant collection of over 8,000 life-sized clay figures that were buried with the emperor. The archaeological efforts began in 2015, and this find is one of only ten high-ranking officers discovered to date, showcasing the tomb's continued capacity for surprising insights. These excavations provide not only historical context but also underscore the craftsmanship of ancient Chinese artisans.
DNA Studies Transform Understanding of Pompeii Victims
Recent DNA research on the plaster casts of victims from Pompeii has significantly altered interpretations of their identities and relationships. For instance, a group long believed to be a family was found to consist of individuals who were not biologically related, challenging previous assumptions about the social dynamics in ancient Pompeii. Another case of presumed maternal bonds instead revealed a genetically male individual with a child, indicating more complicated narratives than previously understood. This research highlights both the limitations of prior archaeological interpretations and the insights gained from integrating genetic analysis into historical narratives.
This first installment the end of year 2024 edition of Unearthed! starts with updates, so many shipwrecks, and so much art.
Research:
- Giuffrida, Angela. “Painting found by junk dealer in cellar is original Picasso, experts claim.” The Guardian. 10/1/2024. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/oct/01/painting-found-by-junk-dealer-in-cellar-is-original-picasso-experts-claim
- Lawson-Tancred, Jo. “‘Horrible’ Painting Found by a Junk Dealer Could Be a Picasso Worth $6 Million.” ArtNet. 10/1/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/junk-dealer-picasso-2545786
- Kuta, Sarah. “This Shipwreck’s Location Was a Mystery for 129 Years. Then, Two Men Found It Just Minutes Into a Three-Day Search.” Smithsonian. 9/30/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-shipwrecks-location-was-a-mystery-for-129-years-then-two-men-found-it-just-minutes-into-a-three-day-search-180985165/ Peru murals https://archaeology.org/news/2024/10/01/additional-moche-murals-uncovered-in-peru-at-panamarca/
- Leung, Maple. “Team makes distilled wine in replica of bronze vessel found at emperor’s tomb.” MyNews. 12/13/2024. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3290709/team-makes-distilled-wine-replica-bronze-vessel-found-emperors-tomb
- Feldman, Ella. “Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers From ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Sell for a Record-Breaking $28 Million.” Smithsonian. 12/10/2024. s-from-the-wizard-of-oz-sell-for-a-record-breaking-28-million-180985620/
- Tamisiea, Jack. “Hairballs Shed Light on Man-Eating Lions’ Menu.” The New York Times. 10/11/2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/11/science/tsavo-lions-man-eating-dna.html
- Spears, Nancy Marie. “First-ever oral histories of Indian boarding school survivors, collected with care.” ICT. 10/16/2024. https://ictnews.org/news/first-ever-oral-histories-of-indian-boarding-school-survivors-collected-with-care
- Kuta, Sarah. “Biden Issues a ‘Long Overdue’ Formal Apology for Native American Boarding Schools.” Smithsonian. 10/25/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/biden-issues-a-long-overdue-biden-formally-apologizes-for-native-american-boarding-schools-180985341/
- Schrader, Adam. “A New Monument Confronts the Dark Legacy of Native American Boarding Schools.” ArtNet. 12/13/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/indian-boarding-school-national-monument-2586044
- Boucher, Brian. “This Contemporary Artist Will Complete a Missing Scene in the Millennium-Old Bayeux Tapestry.” Artnet. 10/29/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/helene-delprat-complete-bayeux-tapestry-2560937
- Reuters. “Ancient Pompeii site uncovers tiny house with exquisite frescoes.” 10/24/2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ancient-pompeii-site-uncovers-tiny-house-with-exquisite-frescoes-2024-10-24/
- The History Blog. “Tiny house frescoed like mansion in Pompeii.” 10/25/2024. http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/71444
- Bowman, Emma. “New DNA evidence upends what we thought we knew about Pompeii victims.” NPR. 11/9/2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/11/08/g-s1-33553/pompeii-dna-evidence-vesuvius-victims
- Benzine, Vittoria. “Pompeii Experts Back Up Pliny’s Historical Account of Vesuvius Eruption.” ArtNet. 12/13/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/pompeii-pliny-vesuvius-eruption-date-2587228
- Willsher, Kim. “‘Bodies were dropped down quarry shafts’: secrets of millions buried in Paris catacombs come to light.” The Guardian. 10/19/2024. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/19/bodies-quarry-shafts-millions-buried-paris-catacombs
- Kuta, Sarah. “See the Wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ in Astonishing Detail With This New 3D Scan.” Smithsonian. 10/18/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-wreck-of-ernest-shackletons-endurance-in-astonishing-detail-with-this-new-3d-scan-180985274/
- Boucher, Brian. “In a Rare Move, Boston’s Gardner Museum Snaps Up a Neighboring Apartment Building.” ArtNet. 10/18/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/boston-gardner-museum-buys-apartment-building-2555811
- Whipple, Tom. “Letters reveal the quiet genius of Ada Lovelace.” The Times. 6/14/2024. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/history/article/ada-lovelace-letters-shed-light-woman-science-1848-kdztdh9x0
- Lawson-Tancred, Jo. “This 18th-Century Painting Could Rewrite Black History in Britain.” ArtNet. 10/14/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/this-18th-century-painting-could-rewrite-black-history-in-britain-2552814 Factum Foundation. “William Blake’s Earliest Engravings.” 2024. https://factumfoundation.org/our-projects/digitisation/archiox-analysing-and-recording-cultural-heritage-in-oxford/william-blakes-earliest-engravings/
- Whiddington, Richard. “William Blake’s Earliest Etchings Uncovered in Stunning High-Tech Scans.” ArtNet. 10/23/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/william-blake-earliest-engravings-copper-plates-bodleian-2558053
- Kinsella, Eileen. “X-Ray Analysis of Gauguin Painting Reveals Hidden Details… and a Dead Beetle.” ArtNet. 12/2/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/gauguin-little-cat-analysis-van-gogh-museum-2577081
- Oster, Sandee. “Archaeologists reveal musical instruments depicted in Zimbabwe's ancient rock art.” Phys.org. 11/29/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-archaeologists-reveal-musical-instruments-depicted.html
- Niskanen, Niina. “Prehistoric hunter-gatherers heard the elks painted on rocks talking.” EurekAlert. 11/25/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1065949
- Metcalfe, Tom. “WWII British sub that sank with 64 on board finally found off Greek Island.” LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/wwii-british-sub-that-sank-with-64-on-board-finally-found-off-greek-island
- Medievalists.net. “Tudor Sailors’ Bones Reveal Link Between Handedness and Bone Chemistry.” https://www.medievalists.net/2024/11/tudor-sailors-bones-reveal-link-between-handedness-and-bone-chemistry/
- Benzine, Vittoria. “Astonishing Trove of Rare Roman Pottery Uncovered Beneath Sicilian Waters.” 11/7/2014. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/rare-richborough-pottery-underwater-sicily-2565780
- Kuta, Sarah. “Divers Recover 300-Year-Old Glass Onion Bottles From a Shipwreck Off the Coast of Florida.” Smithsonian. 10/31/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/divers-recover-300-year-old-glass-onion-bottles-from-a-shipwreck-off-the-coast-of-florida-180985358/
- Babbs, Verity. “This Sunken Ship May Be the 1524 Wreckage From Vasco da Gama’s Final Voyage.” ArtNet. 11/30/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/sunken-ship-vasco-da-gama-2577760
- Roberts, Michael. “Researchers locate WWI shipwreck off Northern Ireland.” PhysOrg. 12/3/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-wwi-shipwreck-northern-ireland.html
- ACS Newsroom. “New hydrogel could preserve waterlogged wood from shipwrecks.” EurekAlert. 12/3/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1066769
- Dedovic, Yaz. “Bad weather led Dutch ship into Western Australian coast.” EurekAlert. 12/8/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1067496
- Bassi, Margherita. “1,200 years ago, a cat in Jerusalem left the oldest known evidence of 'making biscuits' on a clay jug.” LiveScience. 8/28/2024. https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/1-200-years-ago-a-cat-in-jerusalem-left-the-oldest-known-evidence-of-making-biscuits-on-a-clay-jug
- Oster, Sandee. “Tunisian snail remains provide insights on a possible 7700-year-old local food tradition.” Phys.org. 10/8/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-tunisian-snail-insights-year-local.html
- Medievalists.net. “Vikings and Indigenous North Americans: New Walrus DNA Study Reveals Early Arctic Encounters.” https://www.medievalists.net/2024/10/vikings-and-indigenous-north-americans-new-walrus-dna-study-reveals-early-arctic-encounters/
- Billing, Lotte. “Early interactions between Europeans and Indigenous North Americans revealed.” Lund University. Via EurekAlert. 9/28/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1059638
- Bliege Bird, R., Bird, D.W., Martine, C.T. et al. Seed dispersal by Martu peoples promotes the distribution of native plants in arid Australia. Nat Commun 15, 6019 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50300-5
- Tutella, Francisco. “Landscape effects of hunter-gatherer practices reshape idea of agriculture.” 10/10/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1060928
- aranto, S., Barcons, A.B., Portillo, M. et al. Unveiling the culinary tradition of ‘focaccia’ in Late Neolithic Mesopotamia by way of the integration of use-wear, phytolith & organic-residue analyses. Sci Rep 14, 26805 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78019-9
- Brinkhof, Tim. “People Were Making Focaccia Bread 9,000 Years Ago.” ArtNet. 12/15/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ancient-focaccia-recipe-study-2580239
- Ward, Kim. “How MSU is bringing shipwrecked seeds back to life.” MSU Today. 11/6/2024. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/how-msu-is-bringing-shipwrecked-seeds-back-to-life
- Kuta, Sarah. “Seeds That Were Submerged in a Lake Huron Shipwreck for Nearly 150 Years.” Smithsonian. 11/25/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-are-trying-to-make-whiskey-using-rye-seeds-that-were-submerged-in-a-lake-huron-shipwreck-for-nearly-150-years-180985493/
- Tutella, Francisco. “Peaches spread across North America through Indigenous networks.” Penn State. Via EurekAlert. 11/22/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1065907
- Irish Central Staff. “2000-year-old fig discovered by Irish archaeologists in Dublin.” Irish Central. 11/25/2024. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/archaeologists-fig-drumanagh-dublin
- Kieltyka, Matt. “Genetic study of native hazelnut challenges misconceptions about how ancient Indigenous peoples used the land.” EurekAlert. 12/5/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1067317
- Pflughoeft, Aspen. “2,800-year-old bakery — with tools and food remains — uncovered in Germany” Miami Herald. 11/29/2024. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/article296316409.html#storylink=cpy
- Chinese Academy of Sciences. “Traces of 10,000-year-old ancient rice beer discovered in Neolithic site in Eastern China.” Phys.org. 12/9/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-year-ancient-rice-beer-neolithic.html#google_vignette
- McHugh, Chris. “Medieval origins of Oxford college unearthed.” BBC. 12/15/2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd0el584nrvo
- Morgan Library and Museum. “New Work by Frédéric Chopin Recently Discovered in the Collection of the Morgan Library and Museum.” https://host.themorgan.org/press/Morgan_Chopin_MediaRelease.pdf
- Henley, Jon. “Remains of man whose death was recorded in 1197 saga uncovered in Norway.” The Guardian. 10/27/2014. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/27/remains-of-man-whose-death-was-recorded-in-1197-saga-uncovered-in-norway
- Babbs, Verity. “Archaeologists Unearth a 2,000-Year-Old Inscription Honoring an Ancient Wrestler.” ArtNet. 10/26/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-unearth-a-2000-year-old-inscription-honoring-an-ancient-wrestler-2557032
- Whiddington, Richard. Amateur Sleuth Uncovers Bram Stoker’s Lost Supernatural Tale—A Precursor to ‘Dracula’?” ArtNet. 11/22/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/lost-bram-stoker-story-gibbet-hill-found-2557360
- British Library. “An unknown leaf from the Poor Clares of Cologne.” Medieval Manuscripts Blog. https://blogs.bl.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2024/12/poor-clares-of-cologne.html
- Thompson, Karen. “The Incas used stringy objects called 'khipus' to record data—we just got a step closer to understanding them.” Phys.org. 11/13/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-incas-stringy-khipus-closer.html
- Whiddington, Richard. “An Archaeologist’s 150-Year-Old Message in a Bottle Is Uncovered by Norwegian Researchers.” ArtNet. 11/20/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/archaeologists-150-year-old-message-uncovered-norwegian-lorange-2572859
- Kuta, Sarah. “Read the 132-Year-Old Message in a Bottle Found Hidden Inside the Walls of a Scottish Lighthouse.” Smithsonian. 11/26/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/read-the-132-year-old-message-in-a-bottle-found-hidden-inside-the-walls-of-a-scottish-lighthouse-180985528/
- Benzine, Vittoria. “Professor Translates 2,600-Year-Old Inscription That Linguists Claimed Could Never Be Read.” ArtNet. 11/20/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/2600-year-old-inscription-decoded-2572494
- Alberge, Dalya. “16th-century graffiti of Tower of London prisoners decoded for first time.” The Observer. 12/1/2024. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/dec/01/16th-century-graffiti-of-tower-of-london-prisoners-decoded-for-first-time
- Oster, Sandee. “Ancient Iberian slate plaques may be genealogical records.” Phys.org. 12/3/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-ancient-iberian-slate-plaques-genealogical.html
- Robbins, Hannah. “Oldest known alphabet unearthed in ancient Syrian city.” EurekAlert. 11/20/2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1065620
- Göttingen University. “Press release: Skill and technique in Bronze Age spear combat.” 8/10/2024. https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/3240.html?id=7562
- Jackson, Justin. “'Getting high' in Paleolithic hunting: Elevated positions enhance javelin accuracy but reduce atlatl efficiency.” Phys.org. 10/16/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-paleolithic-hunters-benefited-high.html#google_vignette
- Diamond, L.E., Langley, M.C., Cornish, B. et al. Aboriginal Australian weapons and human efficiency. Sci Rep 14, 25497 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76317-w
- Langley, Michelle and Laura Diamond. “First-ever biomechanics study of Indigenous weapons shows what made them so deadly.” Phys.org. 10/28/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-10-biomechanics-indigenous-weapons-deadly.html
- Babbs, Verity. “Rare Portrait of the Last Byzantine Emperor Unearthed in Stunning Greek Find.” ArtNet. 12/18/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/byzantine-emperor-constantine-xi-fresco-greece-2589737
- Nelson, George. “Archeologists Discover Hidden Tomb in Ancient City of Petra and a Skeleton Holding Vessel Resembling Indiana Jones’s ‘Holy Grail’.” 10/22/2024. https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/petra-ancient-city-jordan-secret-hidden-tomb-archaeology-1234721828/
- Osho-Williams, Olatunji. “Archaeologists in Petra Discover Secret Tomb Hiding Beneath a Mysterious Structure Featured in ‘Indiana Jones’.” Smithsonian. 10/15/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-in-petra-discover-secret-tomb-hiding-beneath-a-mysterious-structure-featured-in-indiana-jones-180985275/
- Anderson, Sonja. “Archaeologists Say This Tiny Amulet Is the Oldest Evidence of Christianity Found North of the Alps.” Smithsonian. 12/19/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-say-this-tiny-amulet-is-the-oldest-evidence-of-christianity-found-north-of-the-alps-180985674/
- UCL News. “Stonehenge may have been built to unify the people of ancient Britain.” 12/20/2024. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/dec/stonehenge-may-have-been-built-unify-people-ancient-britain
- Casey, Michael. “Centuries-old angels uncovered at Boston church made famous by Paul Revere.” Associated Press. 12/24/2024. https://apnews.com/article/boston-old-church-angels-uncovered-paul-revere-4656e86d3f042b8ab8f7652a7301597c
- Benzine, Vittoria. “Thousands of Stolen Greek Artifacts Just Turned Up in an Athens Basement.” ArtNet. 12/19/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/stolen-greek-artifacts-found-athens-basement-2589662
- The History Blog. “Unique 500-year-old wooden shoe found in Netherlands cesspit.” 12/24/2024. https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/71988
- Anderson, Sonja. “Archaeologists Discover Rare Clay Commander Among Thousands of Life-Size Terra-Cotta Soldiers in China.” Smithsonian. 12/31/2024. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-rare-clay-commander-among-thousands-of-life-size-terra-cotta-soldiers-in-china-180985747/
- Gammelby, Peter F. “Water and gruel—not bread: Discovering the diet of early Neolithic farmers in Scandinavia.” Phys.org. 12/20/2024. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-gruel-bread-diet-early-neolithic.html#google_vignette
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