Archaeological study

The findings revealed a surprising paradox: Even though the hunter-gatherer communities were relatively small and sparsely located, they were not isolated. 

But a study published in March based on different testing called the 1997 study results inaccurate, concluding that Monte Verde dated to between about 4,200 and 8,200 years ago.

Using careful examination methods, researchers were able to identify for the first time cut marks made by flint knives in consistent locations on the bones of large snakes found at the site.

“It completely tears up previous assumptions,” Wiltshire Museum Director David Dawson told The Guardian. “It’s a fantastic revelation of the position of women in society.”

The six, four of whom are believed to be daughters of Pharaoh Amenemhat II, were rediscovered in 2020 in the Egyptian Museum after being lost for decades.

Basalt seemingly held special importance at GBY, particularly for producing large cutting tools like handaxes and cleavers. 

The vast majority of material was lost after a 2025 murder. All that remains is a small amount of dust collected from the floor and a few samples preserved by the Jones family.

For decades, scholars have wondered if Qumran’s 364-day year calender had ever been used in practice or if it served only as a theoretical framework.

Research methods will include state-of-the-art chemical, artificial intelligence, paleographical, and codicological analysis of approximately 250 samples of the scrolls from the IAA's collection.

The stone, known also as a massebah, was discovered during excavations of the First Temple era site, inside a large residence named by archaeologists as "Building 101," or the Governor's Residency.