The French version of King Arthur’s legendary Excalibur sword has vanished from a rock into which legend says it was plunged 1,300 years ago. The Durandal sword from Rocamadour, southern France, is presumed to have been stolen despite it being chained to the stone 32ft off the ground. Durandal wasContinue Reading
Melodies of popular songs have become simpler since the 1950s, according to scientists. An analysis of hundreds of chart hits from the past 70 years has shown “a significant decline” in the complexity of rhythm and pitch in song melodies, UK researchers said. They said the biggest transitions – orContinue Reading
Scientists in South Africa have been stunned to discover that termite mounds that are still inhabited in an arid region of the country are more than 30,000 years old, meaning they are the oldest known active termite hills. Some of the mounds near the Buffels River in Namaqualand were estimatedContinue Reading
A boa constrictor in the UK has given birth to 14 babies — without a mate. The snake, a 6-foot, 13-year-old Brazilian Rainbow Boa named Ronaldo, gave birth last week after having no contact with any other snakes for at least nine years, according to the City of Portsmouth College,Continue Reading
The French version of King Arthur’s legendary Excalibur sword has vanished from a rock into which legend says it was plunged 1,300 years ago. The Durandal sword from Rocamadour, southern France, is presumed to have been stolen despite it being chained to the stone 32ft off the ground. Durandal wasContinue Reading
The National Trust has revealed two previously-unknown Roman villas on one of its estates. The charity commissioned a survey across more than 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) at the Attingham Park estate in Shropshire, to map the area’s archaeological remains. The findings will help the National Trust work with its tenantContinue Reading
Scientists have discovered artwork depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig in what they have determined is the world’s oldest-known confidently dated cave painting – created at least 51,200 years ago. The artwork was found on the ceiling of a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.Continue Reading
A giant salamander-like creature was a top predator in the ice age before dinosaurs, a new study suggests. The fanged creature had a skull more than two feet-long, and lived in swampy waters 40 million years before dinosaurs first evolved. Called Gaiasia jennyae, the swamp creature with a toilet seat-shapedContinue Reading
Scientists say they have pinpointed strategies to save cushions, carpets, and sofas from pet cats. Providing cats with safe hiding places and plenty of opportunities to play can help to reduce their stress, and save frustrated owners’ furniture from being scratched, new research suggests. While scratching is a normal felineContinue Reading
Providing cats with safe hiding places and plenty of opportunities to play can help to reduce their stress, and save frustrated owners’ furniture from being scratched, new research suggests. Scientists say they have pinpointed strategies that could save cushions, carpets, and sofas from pet cats. While scratching is a normalContinue Reading
