Dozens of ancient, densely packed, towns, villages, and hamlets arranged in an organized pattern have been mapped in the Brazilian Amazon, anthropologists announced today.
The finding suggests that vast swathes of “pristine” rain forest may actually have been sophisticated urban landscapes prior to the arrival of European colonists.
Captions for photos of events in the news around the world. Shots include the annual tomato fight in Spain, a pre-Incan mask discovery in Peru, shattered glass in Georgia from firefight with Russia, and teacups up for auction.
Captions for photos of animals in the news. Shots include a young seal set for release in the North Sea, an albino southern right whale in Australia, a newborn giraffe in San Diego, and a Beal’s four-eyed turtle.
Captions for photos of environmental issues and events in the news. Shots include a fashion show in Indonesia with a “Fashion Meets Nature” theme, a water delivery tunnel through California mountains, Tropical Storm Fay in Georgia, a deadly drought in Indonesia, and torrential rains in Nepal.
Photos of giant whale sharks snapped by vacationing scuba divers and snorkelers are helping scientists track the elusive marine creatures across the oceans.
And the same technique may soon also help researchers track polar bears in Canada, giant Eurasian trout in Mongolia, and ocean sunfish in the Galápagos Islands.
Today, cutting-edge astronomers use space-based observatories to gain a sharp view of the stars and advance our understanding of the cosmos. But appreciation for celestial bodies dates back to ancient times. Many cultures built structures in ways that suggest they were in tune with Earth’s annual trek around the sun. Other structures appear to take constellations and planets into account. Learn about 10 of these ancient observatories.
Captions for photos of animals in the news. Shots include a recently hatched Chinese box turtle, a cobra doused with milk, a flamingo twisted into an “8,” rare Przewalski’s horses, and a snow leopard cub.