Society

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have found that Vikings often suffered from dental disease and tried to treat them. The results of the study are published in the journal Plos One.

During excavations in the town of Varnham in 2005, the ruins of an ancient Christian church were discovered with a Viking burial site dating from the 10th to 12th centuries. Archaeologists conducted a clinical and radiological study of the dentition of the skulls of people from the site. In total, more than 2,300 teeth from 171 people were analysed.

More than 60 per cent of the adults had signs of caries on the root surface, while no caries was found in any of the younger individuals. Other pathologies, including infections affecting dental tissues and signs of tooth loss, were also observed. In a few individuals, the decay was so advanced that it should have caused toothache. To cope with it, the Vikings probably tried to saw off some of the teeth. Some teeth showed damage, probably related to the attempted removal of food residue.

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Scientists were able to explain the reasons for the mysterious death of British archaeologists who 100 years ago discovered the tomb of Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, writes RIA Novosti. For decades there were rumours of a mysterious “curse” that had been placed on the researchers.

Tutankhamun’s tomb after years of searching was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter. A few years after the discovery, people associated with the find passed away. Carter himself was among them.

Scientists now believe that the explorers died as a result of “cave disease” caused by Aspergillus fungi found in the tomb. Fungi live a very long time in such conditions, and in addition, they increase their virulence

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Archaeologists have discovered a group of ancient lost cities in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, where about two thousand years ago lived about ten thousand people. The results of the study are published in the journal Science.

Mapping using LIDAR technology revealed that these Amazonian sites are part of a dense network of settlements and connecting roads lost in the forested foothills of the Andes.

The settlements were inhabited by the Upano people between 500 BC and 300-600 AD. Structures were built on more than 6,000 earthen mounds surrounded by agricultural fields with drainage channels. The largest roads were 10 metres wide and 10 to 20 kilometres long.

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A scandal has erupted in Spain over a poster of Jesus Christ for Holy Week in Seville. Many found it effeminate and offensive to Catholics, The Telegraph reported.

The poster, created by artist Salustiano Garcia, depicts Jesus Christ after his resurrection against a red background, with his lower body covered by a white cloth. The Fraternities and Guilds Council, which organises the main events of Easter week, said the artist’s work shows “the lighter side of Holy Week”.

However, many on social media condemned the poster, calling it sexualised. “It is absolutely shameful and abnormal,” wrote the ultra-conservative Catholic organisation IPSE.

Javier Navarro, a member of Spain’s right-wing Vox party, joined in criticising the poster, saying it “seeks to provoke” and has no purpose “to encourage the faithful to participate in Holy Week in Seville”.

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In Turkey, the court obliged a man who did not observe hygiene to pay his wife 16 and a half thousand dollars. This was reported by Trthaber newspaper on Sunday, 28 January.

According to the publication, the resident of Ankara was outraged that her husband does not follow the cleanliness of the oral cavity – her husband brushed his teeth once or twice a week.

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