Keeping in line with the release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the discovery of what archeologists believe to be the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship has been buzzing in the news. In this article, you will also encounter other archeology discoveries presented in May 2011.
Blackbeard’s Anchor Uncovered?
An anchor was recovered in late May, which archeologists believe belongs to the Queen Anne’s Revenge. The vessel sank in 1718 and has now been located on the ocean floor off the North Carolina coast. Blackbeard was killed in battle five months later his ship fell into the waters.
Measuring 11 feet long, the artifact in question is the third largest found at the shipwreck , beaten only by two other anchors. When researchers uncovered the anchor from the wreck, it was around 20 feet under the water. They brought it to shore so that they could learn more about the discovery. It took about a week to fully complete their mission. The find will certainly capture more attention since the latest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean features Blackbeard and the Queen Anne’s Revenge.
Ancient Underground City in Jerusalem
Under the holy sites of old Jerusalem, there are tunnels located underneath the ground that sees hundreds of people. There is life below the ground, where vaulted medieval chambers and Roman sewers come to life with activity. If you take a look at the street level, the Old City is walled and boasts a population that is mainly Arab with a predominantly Islamic landscape. However, once you reach the underground level of the city , you are greeted by something different.
The features of the underground echo a Jewish city that dates back 2,000 years ago. When archeologists show interest in digging in the tunnels, there are many concerned people. The Old City underground proves that Jewish roots run deep in the city. Because of this, the tunnels are one of the main attractions for tourism in Jerusalem. The numbers of visitors is steadily increasing, as Jews and Christians flock to the site. More than 1 million visitors came in 2010 alone. This is an important site for Israel.
On the other side are a large number of Palestinians, who denounce Israel’s sovereignty in the city. They see the culture as a threat to their own claim to Jerusalem. In the coming months, a new underground link will open, which will create more than 1 mile of pathways weaving underneath the city.
Other archeological finds and discoveries reported during May 2011 include:
Archeologists in the Yucatan have found human and animal bonens, jade and shell beads, flint knives, and ceramics during a survey. The National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico released a statement that believes the remains of six people were most likely victims of sacrifice between 900 and 1,200 years ago when water shortages were a great problem.
The nails from a coffin found in a late 19th century gravesite is all that archeologists were able to uncover. These items belonged to the final resting place of the body referred to as ‘The Leatherman.’ The gravesite did not provide any further clues on his life or death.
The latest results from radiocarbon dating for textiles and rope discovered in Peru’s Guitarrero Cave has revealed interesting details. They are now considered the oldest known textiles in South America. Now, researchers are able to pinpoint the timing and actions of groups living in the Andes highlands.
