Prehistoric footwear dating back 6,200 years discovered in a Spanish cave
A pair of shoes thought to be the oldest ever found in Europe are now estimated to be even older than scientists had previously thought. About 20 pairs of sandals found in southern Spain are at least 6,200 years old, while other woven objects found in the cave date back 9,500 years, according to a new study. The scientists used carbon-dating on 76 objects found in the Cueva de los Murciélagos, Albuñol, near Granada, which were originally discovered by miners in the 19th century. The objects are particularly valuable to science because they represent the first direct evidence of certain hunter-gatherer skills, such as weaving, in southern Europe. They are made of wood, reed and esparto grass. The shoes measured about eight inches in length. The study was published in the journal Science Advances by a team from the Universidad de Alcalá (UAH) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Francisco Martínez Sevilla, a researcher at the Prehistory Department of UAH, said: “These are the earliest and widest-ranging assemblage of prehistoric footwear, both in the Iberian Peninsula and in Europe, unparalleled at other latitudes. “The new dating of the esparto baskets from the Cueva de los Murciélagos of Albuñol opens a window of opportunity to understanding the last hunter-gatherer societies of the early Holocene. “The quality and technological complexity of the basketry makes us question the simplistic assumptions we have about human communities prior to the arrival of agriculture in Southern Europe.” He said the project placed the cave as “a unique site in Europe to study the organic materials of prehistoric populations”. Cueva de los Murciélagos, or “Cave of the Bats,” is located on the coast of Granada, to the south of the Sierra Nevada. The finds are thought to have been so well-preserved because of low humidity levels in the area. Study co-author María Herrero Otal added: “The esparto grass objects from Cueva de los Murciélagos are the oldest and best-preserved set of plant fibre materials in Southern Europe so far known. “The technological diversity and the treatment of the raw material documented demonstrates the ability of prehistoric communities to master this type of craftsmanship, at least since 9,500 years ago, in the Mesolithic period. “Only one type of technique related to hunter-gatherers has been identified, while the typological, technological and treatment range of esparto grass was extended during the Neolithic from 7,200 to 6,200 years before the present.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-09 17:57
Israel attack: 12 Thai nationals killed, 11 kidnapped
Thai workers have been caught up in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.
2023-10-09 17:30
'It's just an awesome film': Scott Derrickson backs Barbie to win Oscar for Best Picture
'Doctor Strange' director Scott Derrickson says 'Barbie' is one of his favourite movies of 2023 and believes Greta Gerwig's film should win the Oscar for Best Picture.
2023-10-09 17:25
Logan Paul faces backlash after ‘only offering CryptoZoo victims 10 per cent compensation’
Influencer Logan Paul is under fire after allegedly only offering the victims of his cryptocurrency project, CryptoZoo, 5-10 per cent of their losses. CryptoZoo was a cryptocurrency game that Paul described as a "really fun game that makes you money", where he asked fans to invest by purchasing cryptocurrency collectables. However, a year later, no game materialised, with Paul apparently abandoning the project. Despite this, the CryptoZoo website still says it is "undergoing upgrades" and that "big things are coming!" At the start of 2023, YouTube investigator known as 'Coffeezilla' uploaded a crypto video titled 'Investigating Logan Paul's Biggest Scam', racking up over 9 million views. The video featured those who had invested in the game, individually listing off the amount of money they had lost from it, anywhere between $15,000 to $500,000. Initially, Paul threatened legal action against Coffeezilla for defamation, but days later apologised and said he would take accountability, with part of this including repaying investors. Nine months later, however, and those who requested a refund are still waiting for their money to be returned. YouTuber 'Kavos' has an alleged update on the situation, saying "reliable sources" are claiming that Paul's "best offer was 5-10 per cent of the losses suffered". Kavos went on to call it "an absolute disgrace", and added that "before this 'offer' Logan and his team tried to get the case dismissed. There is absolutely no accountability or sympathy for his actions." Many were outraged at Paul's actions, with one user writing "there's no rock bottom for him". Whilst another asked "is anyone surprised?" Saying Paul has never "shown an ounce of integrity": However, some were hesitant to criticise due to the ambiguity of Kavos' "reliable sources": Indy100 has reached out to Logan Paul for comment. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-09 17:20
'He just wanted to act': Adam Deacon hails Ed Sheeran's approach to Sumotherhood
Adam Deacon felt that Ed Sheeran was keen to prove his acting ability with his role in 'Sumotherhood'.
2023-10-09 17:15
Archaeologists have just found a rare 18th-century cold bath
Archaeologists have found a rare cold bath below the 18th-century Bath Assembly Rooms. The rooms, completed in 1771, were fashionable places of entertainment, conversation, dancing and gambling and cold baths were seen as good for people's health. The cold bath is in the centre of a suite of three rooms beneath one end of the ballroom. It has dressing rooms on either side. The excavation involved removing a later floor that had been installed over the cold bath and removing tonnes of rubble to reveal steps down into it. Bruce Eaton, of Wessex Archaeology, which oversaw the excavation, told the Guardian: “Although historical records indicated that there was a cold bath buried beneath the Bath Assembly Rooms, we had no idea what preservation of the bath would be like. “The building suffered damage at the hands of the Luftwaffe and the rooms were remodelled in the late 20th century but, after carefully excavating tonnes of concrete and rubble, we saw the original structure emerge in its entirety. “It’s tremendous to be able to piece together this rare archaeological evidence of an 18th-century cold bath with social historical accounts from the time.” Tatjana LeBoff, a project curator at the National Trust, said: “The cold bath at the assembly rooms is highly unusual. It is a rare, if not unique, surviving example, and possibly it was the only one ever built in an assembly room.” The trust was researching records, letters, diaries and other documents to discover more about the cold bath, she said. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-09 16:47
Afghanistan’s Viral Supercar Makes Global Debut at Doha Show
At first glance, the Simurgh resembles the Batmobile. Black, low-slung with flared wheel arches, the supercar looks built
2023-10-09 16:25
European Gas Price Surges Above €40 Amid Pipe Leak And Oil Gains
Europe’s natural gas futures jumped after a leak was discovered on a pipeline in the Baltic region, sparking
2023-10-09 16:22
Kylie Jenner uploads pro-Israel Instagram post, then deletes it soon after
Kylie Kenner posted and deleted a pro-Israel post from her Instagram amid the deadly situation in the region. In Israel, more than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed after Hamas launched surprise attacks, including at a music festival close to the Gaza Strip. On her Instagram story, Jenner shared an image, first posted by the pro-Israel Instagram account @StandWithUs, which featured the blue and white Israel flag, along with the words “Now and always, we stand with the people of Israel!” written on it. Within one hour, the 26-year-old influencer had deleted the image from her stories following backlash that was made evident in the comments section of her most recent Instagram post. Though the post that received several comments made no mention of the Israel-Gaza conflict, it soon became a place for people to vent their thoughts about Jenner showing support for one side, in what is a historically complex issue. Many of the comments featured Palestine flags and read the words “Free Palestine”. Others also posted several Israel flag emojis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a live television address that “we are at war” and warned that “the enemy will pay an unprecedented price”. Israeli forces are still battling against Hamas fighters in several locations on their own territory, as one thousand targets have been hit in Gaza overnight following Saturday’s bloody attack. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel — a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades — and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza, while thousands have been wounded on each side. Palestinian militant groups claimed to be holding over 130 captives from the Israeli side. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-09 16:22
Robert Redford turned down The Way We Were
Barbra Streisand has revealed Robert Redford turned down the chance to star opposite her in classic movie The Way We Were before eventually being persuaded to take part
2023-10-09 15:27
Greta Gerwig would stand behind the audience at Barbie showings: 'I controlled the volume!'
Greta Gerwig stood behind the audience at some showings of 'Barbie' and would sometimes control the volume levels if she felt she needed to.
2023-10-09 15:15
How to spot if your child is struggling with their mental health – and what to do next
Spotting when your child is struggling with their mental health, and knowing how to support them, can be tricky for parents and carers. It’s an important issue to be aware of, however. According to the Children’s Society, in the three years up to 2022, the likelihood of young people having a mental health problem increased by 50%, while children and young people’s mental health charity Place2Be says one in six children experience mental health difficulties, rising to one in four amongst 17–19-year-olds. Emotional disorders including depression and anxiety are among the most common problems to crop up. James Emmett, regional clinical lead at Place2Be, says although the Government has taken “great strides” to address the issue by introducing support teams and senior mental health leads in schools, “we’re still seeing a sharp increase in diagnosable mental health conditions among children and young people, now affecting one in six children – which is around five in every classroom”. Stevie Goulding, senior manager for parents and carers services at the charity YoungMinds, says: “More young people than ever are struggling with their mental health and are in need of support. This generation is facing a unique set of pressures – living through a pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and ongoing global instability – and they’re worried about their future. “As young people navigate the ups and downs of growing up, recognising when to be concerned about your child’s mental health can be difficult.” Here, Goulding and Emmett outline how parents can spot whether their child may be struggling, and how to help… 1. Look for behaviour changes A change in behaviour is usually the first sign that a child or young person is feeling low, says Emmett: “They may eat too much or not enough, have problems sleeping, or stop doing things they normally enjoy.” Goulding adds: “If you notice changes in your child’s behaviour or if they appear persistently distressed, it could mean they’re struggling with their mental health, and it’s important to take their concerns seriously.” 2. Give them the opportunity to talk Goulding suggests parents try to talk to their child or teen about how they’re feeling in a non-judgemental way. “Remember, they might not want to open up at first, so reassure them you’re there for them when they’re ready to talk. Remind them it’s ok for them to feel scared or unsure, and try to reassure them,” she advises. 3. Don’t force them to talk However, Emmett says sometimes they may not want to talk, adding: “It’s important that adults don’t force them to have a conversation they don’t want to have. Parents and carers must make sure they’re available – but don’t pressure them to talk. “It can be really tempting to ask a lot of questions, but it’s easy to slip into interrogation mode. Try to focus on the here and now and what would help moving forward.” 4. Choose your momentAvoid discussing the underlying causes of your child’s distress with them during intense moments, Goulding advises: “While it’s crucial to provide support, it can be more beneficial to address these topics when they’re feeling calmer.” 5. Ask how they’re feeling Ask if your child notices when they feel more or less sad, for example, at school, or when they’re with their friends and family, suggests Emmett. “Responding sensitively to your child’s signals with concern and interest will help them learn you’re there for them,” he notes. Goulding says parents can acknowledge their child’s feelings by saying something like: ‘It’s completely understandable that you’re feeling…’. She explains: “This helps to reassure them their feelings are valid and it’s ok to feel different emotions.” 6. Remind them of obstacles they’ve overcome in the past When a child or young person gets overwhelmed, they forget just how much they’ve already dealt with in their lives. “Tell them stories about how proud you were when they coped with certain moments in their life, such as an sitting an exam, or moving house,” says Emmett. “This will remind them of their resilience – their ability to adapt to difficult situations.” 7. Encourage them to stay active Physical and mental wellbeing are often linked. “This means doing something active can be a great way to boost your child’s mental health, and heading outside into green space can have even greater benefits,” says Emmett. He suggests parents walk or cycle short distances with their child instead of going in a car: “It’s cheaper and will help the planet to be healthier too.” 8. Model positive relationships Happy relationships between parents and significant adults lead to better mental and physical health for everyone, stresses Emmett. “By modelling positive relationships of your own, you can help your child to see what positive, healthy and meaningful relationships should look like – and to recognise when friendships aren’t positive,” he says. 9. Remind them how they feel will change Your child might not be able to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel they’re in. “Reassure your child that how they’re feeling is temporary,” says Goulding. “Things can change and they can feel better.” 10. Discuss what help is available Talk to your child about the different sources of help that are available, such as helplines, text lines and online chat services. “Reassure them it’s alright to confide in others, as young people often worry about upsetting their parents,” says Goulding. As well as YoungMinds parents’ helpline (0808 802 5544) and Place2Be, other sources include your child’s school, which will have a designated senior mental health lead, your GP who can refer your child to CAMHS, Parenting Smart, which provides free advice for parents and carers of 4–11-year-olds on how to support their child’s wellbeing and behaviour, and the free Shout 24/7 textline for anyone in crisis (text SHOUT to 85258). 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2023-10-09 14:53