Hannes Schroeder snaps on two pairs of blue latex gloves, then wipes his hands with a solution of bleach. In front of him is a large Tupperware box full of plastic bags that each contain sea water and a piece of red-stained bone. He lifts one out and inspects its contents as several archaeologists hover behind, waiting for his verdict. They’re hoping he can pull off a feat never attempted before — DNA analysis on someone who has been under the sea for 2,000 years.
Through the window, sunlight sparkles on cobalt water. The researchers are on the tiny Greek island of Antikythera, a 10-minute boat ride from the wreckage of a 2,000-year-old merchant ship. Discovered by sponge divers in 1900, the wreck was the first ever investigated by archaeologists. Its most famous bounty to date has been a surprisingly sophisticated clockwork device that modelled the motions of the Sun, Moon and planets in the sky — dubbed the ‘Antikythera mechanism’.
But on 31 August this year, investigators made another groundbreaking discovery: a human skeleton, buried under around half a metre of pottery sherds and sand…
This excerpt is from my news article in the 20 September 2016 issue of Nature. To read on and watch a video (it’s free), click here: http://www.nature.com/news/human-skeleton-found-on-famed-antikythera-shipwreck-1.20632
In your Book The Shadow King your stating on Page 72 that Mister Derry made his measurements on Tutankhamun”s Skull and found it at nearly 157cm wide.that means more than 5 feet.with all your respect for your fascinating Work,I have to ask,if there my be a print mistake?That kind of size would match a skull of on Elephant in my opinion .I would appreciate a short explanation,please.
Hi Peter, thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s a typo, the correct figure is 15.7 cm. Sorry for any confusion! Jo