Expert archaeologists dub ‘UK’s Pompeii’ an ‘amazing time capsule’

Residents only called the UK's Pompeii home for one year before it was destroyed by fire; despite this, the remaining relics are remarkably well preserved.

A recent study has offered a fresh perspective on the lives of people who lived in the area now occupied by Must Farm in Peterborough approximately 3,000 years back.

The village consisted of around 10 circular wooden houses on stilts above a river, and it could have been home to up to 50 to 60 people, according to the researchers.

bin for tools.

They also stated that the residents lived a life of 'warm and homely domesticity' and ate foods like honey-glazed venison and hearty meat porridge.

The researchers, from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, carried out excavations nearly a decade ago at Must Farm and uncovered how lifestyle was for the residents in the village around the time the Bronze Age was ending.

Must Farm's thousands of artefacts also feature a pottery bowl, displaying the fingermarks of its creator still containing its last meal in the clay it was made from.

Chemical analysis shows traces of a wheat porridge mixed with animal fat - which the researchers believe could be goat or red deer fat.

They discovered a cardboard or wooden spoon that had been used for stirring and had been left behind inside the bowl, still leaning against it.

Project archaeologist Dr Chris Wakefield at the Centre for Archaeological Unit said: "The site is yielding clues as to what recipes from the Bronze Age for breakfast and roast dinner might have looked like."

‘Chemical examinations of the bowls and containers revealed the presence of honey together with meat from ruminant animals like deer, implying that these ingredients were mixed to produce a prehistoric dish of honey-glazed venison.

‘It seems the inhabitants saved the juices of their cooked meat to use as toppings on their porridge.’

What is Must Farm?

Dr Wakefield described the site as "an amazing time capsule", as it offers a unique insight into the villages, houses, and domestic lives of people who lived in the region over eight centuries before the Romans arrived in Britain.

Data indicates that vegetation within the river has acted as a buffer, mitigating potential harm to the structures from falling materials.

The items fell exactly where they were originally placed in the houses, providing archaeologists with a clear understanding of how the roundhouses were utilised.

A combination of charring and flooding has led to the survival of thousands of items, including nearly two hundred wooden relics, more than 150 fibres and textiles, one hundred and twenty-eight pottery vessels, and approximately ninety pieces of metal artefacts.

Some of the objects unearthed during the excavation will be showcased in an exhibition at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery from 27 April onwards.

, both available online.

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Specialists say there are benefits to couples sleeping separately

Michael Solender and his wife have been together for 42 years; they slept in the same bedroom for the first decade, moving to separate rooms after that.

machine.

Back at home due to other problems. He's generally warm in the evenings and she normally feels chilly.

“For us, having separate bedrooms is simply a healthier and more positive way to be in a relationship,” said Solender, 66. “There's no shame attached to that. There's no stigma.”

Snoring, temperature changes, "cover stealers", and restlessness that involves rolling over frequently often cause partners to sleep apart. Other factors at play include illness, inconsistent work shifts, and partners who go to bed and get up at different times.

According to an American Academy of Sleep Medicine investigation from last year, they have found that some people occasionally or regularly sleep elsewhere such as a spare bedroom or sofa to accommodate a sleep partner. It is typically men who tend to choose this arrangement.

And, perhaps somewhat astonishingly, it's the younger generation who do it the most, rather than older people.

Dr. Seema Khosla, a pulmonologist and spokesperson for the academy, stated that obtaining satisfactory sleep, typically seven to eight hours per day for adults, is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships.

It has been pointed out by Khosla, the medical director of the North Dakota Center for Sleep in Fargo, that individuals who persistently suffer from poor sleep are more likely to experience disputes with their partners.

“It's really a matter of people prioritising their sleep,” Khosla said. “I've had patients who have been married for 60 years and they're adamant that having separate bedrooms has been a factor."

She said that sleeping in separate rooms is probably more common than most people imagine.

The same applies to sleep apnea, a major cause of loud snoring, Khosla stated. Solender went to see a sleep specialist after realising the effect sleep deprivation had on himself and his wife.

I'd wake her up and wake myself up," he said. "I never realised I had sleep apnea. I believe it started approximately 20 years prior, I kept falling asleep at red lights. I was falling asleep while watching TV or sitting up reading a book. I felt perpetually exhausted, which is when I knew I had a problem.

Key to making separate sleep spaces work is opening up a conversation about it beforehand, as Solender did with his wife.

“Crucially, it’s not about sidestepping closeness. It’s your acceptance that you can experience closeness and enjoy shared moments together, but simply resting apart afterwards. This part of our discussion is vital and for mutual understanding, both partners must get on the same page.”

She has noticed some hesitation among her patients when she suggests sleeping apart.

“It’s usually a partner who’s snoring or someone who’s woken up by their partner’s alarm going off at 4 in the morning, or something similar. We discuss it and people will immediately argue saying, no, that won’t work for me,” she said.

Some, Khosla said, “will sit with it for a minute and they’ll ponder it, and you can tell they're thinking, I would really like to do this, but how do I discuss it with my partner?”

Tracey Daniels and her husband had been sleeping in separate beds for around four years. Initially, there wasn't much discussion about it; she simply drifted off to the guest room.

My husband is a dreadful snorer, but also I'm a very restless sleeper," said Daniels, who resides in Tryon, North Carolina. "He could drop a paperclip on a carpeted floor and I would wake up.

She later stated that she began a conversation after being diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery.

“He looks after me and gives me a kiss at night,”

They take their three dogs for a turn to sleep.

Dr P Ch. Zee, chief of sleep medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and director of the sleep clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, mentioned that sleep separation is a common problem in her line of work.

It would be a good idea to talk about sleep routines before getting married. Often, couples only do this after they've been married or have been together for a period of time and then struggle to resolve their differences.

By middle age, Zee mentioned, sleep quality has diminished.

"People are more susceptible to problems like insomnia or sleep apnea. That gets quite troublesome," she said.

There's nothing to be ashamed of about sleeping in separate beds, but Zee points out that technology has made sharing a bed easier in some respects. Devices that produce white noise, cooling pillows and bedding, mattresses with twin temperature controls, and dual control electric blankets can be of assistance, according to Zee. Some couples have found that giving up shared blankets and using personal bedding has improved their sleep.

"There is a whole market out there that could help mitigate some of these issues," she said.

Sleep separation has become more widely accepted as people have become more aware of the need for quality sleep as a vital aspect of overall health, Zee stated.

In contrast, there's evidence to suggest having sex before sleeping can have some advantages," she said. "In summary, probably the top priority is to seek expert guidance before taking a decision. Do the issues indicate a sleep disorder that can be effectively treated?

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5 foods you should never cook in stainless steel cookware

Cookware, particularly belonging to a category which includes stainless steel pans, possesses a combination of a refined appearance and robust build. This enables such cookware to execute a broad array of culinary tasks. However, stainless steel has its own characteristics and restrictions.

Here are some foods that are best not cooked in stainless steel cookware, according to Real Simple.

Tomato sauce

Highly acidic foods and dishes, such as tomato sauce, can react with stainless steel (or, as it is sometimes known as, inox) over time, resulting in discoloration of the material.

Nickel and chromium can also leach into a dish or saucepan made of stainless steel, depending on its condition.

Hence, for sauces made from tomatoes and tomato paste, it is preferable to use cookware that does not chemically react with the ingredients, like enameled, cast iron or non-stick coated cooking vessels.

Eggs

Eggs have a tendency to stick strongly to stainless steel surfaces, indeed particularly if the pan isn't adequately heated and greased.

Cooking eggs typically works out better when you use either a non-stick pan, which has a non-stick coating, or a cast-iron pan that's been properly seasoned and has been used before.

Pancakes

When frying pancakes in a stainless steel pan, particularly thin ones, they can also stick to the surface and flip poorly.

Just like with eggs, it's a good idea to use a non-stick or a cast-iron pan when cooking pancakes.

Steak

Actually, a stainless steel pan can take high temperatures fairly well, but for pan-frying at extremely high heat, a specific grill pan or a pan made from thick non-stick materials is preferred.

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Fish

Fish can be cooked in a stainless steel pan, but delicate fillets can sometimes stick to the surface and break apart when you try to flip them.

For a less complicated cooking experience, it is advisable to cook fish in a cast iron pan that has a non-stick surface or one that has been well-oiled, as opposed to stainless steel cooking pots and pans.

We discussed the method of cleaning glassware to remove any accumulated residue.

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Common dye turns skin invisible to see the organs inside

A colourless food additive sometimes found in snack items has the potential to render skin translucent, making its internal organs visible, scientists have discovered.

Scientists discovered that by applying the dye to the skin, they could visually observe the blood vessels in the brain and watch as the organs and underlying muscles responded.

The researchers carried out their study using mice. However, they believe the dye is safe to use in other animals, and it may be feasible to use it in humans.

The dye is a food colouring called tartrazine, used for its yellowish hue. However, the same colour means it absorbs light, particularly blue and ultraviolet light.

We're usually unable to see through skin because it scatters light, much like fog does. However, this colour works by altering the way skin bends light – a change that prevents it from scattering as much, making it appear more transparent to the eye.

Scientists can easily apply the pigment: they rub a mixture of the colouring dissolved in water on to the animal's skin. Shortly after, it becomes transparent, as it seeps into the skin.

Researchers were then able to see the blood vessels and organs beneath, and even watch the muscle contractions that occurred as the mice's digestive system worked.

After the tests have been completed, the dye may be washed off and the effect will be undone. Any of the dye that remains in the skin will be absorbed and then removed as waste through the urine.

The dye itself is safe for living organisms, which is fortunate because it's already used in sweets, snack crisps and other edible items. It has also been given regulatory clearance by the US National Food and Drug Authority as safe for use in food products.

It is still unclear whether the process would be effective for humans, given that human skin is 10 times thicker than a mouse's skin. Researchers suggest that it might be possible to use more dye or a different delivery method to penetrate the skin fully.

But doing that could potentially enable doctors and healthcare professionals to gain a deeper understanding of what's going on inside a patient's body.

“In human medicine, we currently make use of ultrasound to examine the deeper parts of the living body,” Ou said. “A lot of medical diagnosis platforms are very costly and out of reach to a wide range of people, but platforms based on our technology should not be.”

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Egyptian pyramids were built using an incredibly clever machine, new research suggests

have been a source of awe and mystified us for centuries.

impressive use of water.

Researchers have now found evidence to suggest that at least one of the grand ancient constructions was built with advanced technology far beyond what was previously assumed.

It is claimed that in 3052 BCE, a sophisticated hydraulic lift system was employed to build the Step Pyramid of Djoser, an structure dating back around 4,500 years.

Historically, it was thought that the Step Pyramid was built using a system of ramps and pulleys.

However, the latest analysis, led by Xavier Landreau of France's CEA Paleotechnic Institute, suggests that the Ancient Egyptians diverted nearby canals to power grain-lifting machinery.

The study indicates that water was allowed into two shafts situated directly within the pyramid, which were utilised for helping to lift and lower a float employed to transport the massive stone building blocks.

Old Egyptians are renowned for their groundbreaking work and expertise in hydrology, specifically in creating canals for irrigation and barges to carry massive stone blocks.

“This work has pioneered a new area of study: the strategic application of hydraulic force in the construction of monumental structures commissioned by Pharaohs.”

The Step Pyramid is thought to have been constructed around 2680 BCE as a burial site for Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty. However, the exact technique used in its construction has long been unclear.

Landreau and his colleagues claim that a nearby previously-unidentified structure, called the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure, was, in fact, a "check dam" used to collect water and sediment.

They also suggest that a series of underground compartments near the pyramid possibly served as a water treatment facility. This would have allowed sediment to settle as water passed through each stage.

From there, after flowing into the pyramid's shafts themselves, the pressurised water would have floated the building stones towards the upper levels of the structure via an internal lift shaft, in a process known as "volcano" construction.

However, while the authors are certain that "the internal architecture of the Step Pyramid is consistent with a hydraulic elevation device never reported previously," they acknowledge that further investigation is required.

They are now seeking to determine how water might have flowed through the shafts, along with the quantity of water that was present in the surrounding area thousands of years ago.

The team suggests that, while other structures like ramps were probably utilised to aid the pyramid's construction, a hydraulic lift system could have been used to assist the building process when water was available.

They stress that their research, conducted in collaboration with “several national laboratories”, has led to “the discovery of a dam, a water treatment facility, and a hydraulic elevator, which would have enabled the construction of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara.”

They conclude: "This work opens a new route of investigation for the scientific community: the utilisation of hydraulic power to construct the pyramids of Egypt."

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