Top 5 most interesting archaeological finds of 2023-2024

Description: From decoding Plato’s last days to Julius Caesar’s perfume, how technology and chance rewrite human history. The most high-profile discoveries that changed our understanding of ancient times.


1. Plato's grave and "discontent with flutists"
With the help of artificial intelligence, it was possible to decipher fragments of Herculaneum scrolls charred during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The texts revealed details of the philosopher's final days: it turned out that Plato criticized the musicians at his deathbed for his "poor sense of rhythm" and was buried in the garden of the Athens Academy. This is the first time that AI has helped restore lost ancient manuscripts.


2. Ancient lipstick from Iran
In a ceramic vessel aged 4000 years, a substance of hematite and vegetable wax was found - the prototype of modern cosmetics. The analysis showed that the composition is almost identical to the lipstick of the XXI century, which proves the amazing continuity of aesthetic standards.

3. Tunic of Alexander the Great: the fabric of power
In the Greek Vergina found wool tunic with golden threads. Radiocarbon analysis and comparisons with historical accounts confirmed that this garment belonged to Alexander the Great. The unique technique of weaving repeats the “pattern of invincibility” mentioned in the chronicles of Arrian.

4. "Marge Simpson" on the Egyptian sarcophagus
During the restoration of the tomb near the pyramid of Cheops, an image of a woman with a high hairstyle was found, strikingly reminiscent of the character of the animated series. Archaeologists believe that this is a stylized image of the goddess Hathor, but Internet users have already dubbed the find “Ancient Egyptian meme”.



5. The Lost Cities of the Amazon: The LIDAR Revolution
Laser scanning technology has revealed a 2,500-year-old network of cities with pyramids and road systems in Ecuador. The discovery reverses the idea of the pre-Hispanic Amazon: it turned out that there was a developed urban culture long before the Incas.

Bonus: Caesar's perfume and wine from the tomb
In Spain, a glass urn with the oldest liquid wine (I century AD) was found, and chemists restored the aroma used by Julius Caesar - it included the sweat of gladiators and patchouli extracts.

Glossary
LIDAR Laser scanning technology to detect objects under vegetation.
Herculaneum scrolls Charred papyri found in the Villa Papyrus near Pompeii.
Radiocarbon analysis The method of dating organic materials by the content of the isotope carbon-14.
Urban culture a society with a developed urban infrastructure.