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Archaeological finds shed light on medieval women’s cemetery mystery

Evidence is increasingly suggesting that these women may have belonged to a pioneering female religious group.

Archaeologists have made significant discoveries in a medieval cemetery in Wales, shedding new light on the mysterious women buried there and bringing them closer to unraveling the secrets surrounding these ancient graves.

Five small round beads arranged horizontally on a white surface. Each bead has a hole in the centre. They are multicoloured, from left to right, they are dark red, orange, light blue, yellow and green. — These tiny beads could have been stitched onto clothing or attached to jewellery

Excavations have uncovered the remnants of a potential building, as well as an array of domestic and decorative artifacts, including vibrant colored glass beads that offer a glimpse into the lives of the cemetery's inhabitants.

To date, 58 skeletons have been unearthed at the site, with the vast majority belonging to women who lived during the 6th or 7th Century, a finding that has piqued the interest of researchers.

The latest findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the burial ground was once part of an early female religious community, a theory that continues to gain traction among scholars.

For the past four years, a team of archaeologists has been conducting excavations at the site, located within the grounds of Fonmon Castle, near the Cardiff airport runway.

A human skeleton is lying in an oval-shaped grave cut into limestone bedrock. The bones are positioned naturally, with the skull at one end and legs extended. The ground surrounding the grave is light brown and cracked. — The 1,500-year-old skeletons are intact and well preserved

The skeletons, buried in shallow graves carved into the limestone bedrock, reveal a complex picture of lives marked by hardship, yet also hint at a level of wealth and luxury, as evidenced by the objects found among the graves.

The identities of the women buried at the site remain a topic of fascination and speculation among the research team, who are working to piece together the stories of these enigmatic individuals.

A major breakthrough has come with the discovery of what appears to be the outline of a small building, which may hold a crucial clue to understanding the purpose and significance of the site.

According to Dr. Andy Seaman, the lead archaeologist from Cardiff University, the find is yielding fragments of building stone, potentially indicating a structural feature, such as a small shrine or chapel.

Dr. Seaman believes that the site may be an example of an early religious community, a notion that is supported by the layout and contents of the cemetery.

The potential building is situated at the center of the cemetery, with graves clustered around it, suggesting that the individuals buried there sought to be interred in close proximity to this feature.

Aerial view of the archaeological dig site. The location of a possible building has been graphically highlighted in pink. Six or seven graves are clustered around it. There are another six or seven graves visible that are located further from the highlighted feature. Archaeologists are working at different parts of the site wearing yellow high visibility jackets. The wider area of the cemetery that is being excavated has exposed brown soil. It is surrounded by a green field. — Graves are clustered around the possible building, which is highlighted in pink

In some cases, notes Cardiff University archaeologist Tudur Davies, multiple individuals were buried in the same grave, with some graves containing two, three, or even four people.

This practice, Davies observes, indicates that the location was highly sought after for burials, with the deceased being placed in the same spot repeatedly, and existing remains being carefully relocated to make way for new burials.

The lack of taboo surrounding the reuse of graves is a notable aspect of the cemetery, with bodies being placed in the same location without hesitation, and existing remains being moved to accommodate new burials.

The artifacts uncovered at the site are providing valuable insights into the lives of the individuals buried there, offering a unique window into the culture and traditions of the time.

At Cardiff University's lab, conservator Nicola Emmerson is meticulously cleaning an ornate copper brooch, which is believed to be made of bronze and possibly gilded with a gold coating.

Three artefacts are displayed against a black background. On the left, is a green almost circular metal brooch with a long pin. It has tiny dots etched into the pin, while one of the terminals of the brooch has four large dots. It is partially covered in soil.
In the centre of the picture is a decorated pin made of bone. It is broken into four pieces. The top of the pin is intricately carved with a pattern. On the right is a fragment of a comb with broken teeth that has been carved from antler. — Items include a copper brooch, a decorated bone pin and a comb carved from antler

The brooch features green enamel details, and Emmerson notes that it would have been a highly decorative and striking piece, making it a significant find for the site.

Alongside the brooch, the team has also discovered a bone pin adorned with intricate patterns, as well as a comb crafted from antler, which demonstrate the skill and craftsmanship of the individuals who created them.

The discovery of multicolored glass beads, each measuring approximately 3mm in diameter, has also generated excitement among the researchers, as these tiny objects would have been used to adorn clothing or jewelry.

In addition to these personal items, the team has also found a range of domestic artifacts, including a quern stone for grinding flour, pottery, and glassware, which suggest that the site was not solely a burial ground, but also a place of residence.

These findings, according to Dr. Seaman, indicate that the community was not only a place of worship but also a thriving residential area, with its own daily routines and activities.

The presence of these domestic items, Dr. Seaman notes, highlights the dual nature of the site, which served both as a place of burial and a living community.

Several fragments of glass arranged in a straight line on a dark surface. They vary in size and shape, and some having a yellow tint and others a green and blue hue. One shard is finely etched with a pattern. — Fragments of glassware were found amongst the graves

The discovery of a quern stone, pottery, and glassware, Dr. Seaman explains, demonstrates that the site was home to a self-sufficient community, capable of meeting its own needs.

It appears that the community was an enclosed one, with its members living in close proximity to the cemetery, yet separate from the broader society.

As the researchers continue to analyze their findings, a more complete picture of the community is beginning to emerge, with the various pieces of evidence slowly falling into place.

However, several questions remain unanswered, including the identities of the few men and children found at the site, and the circumstances surrounding their burials.

Close-up of an archaeologist’s hands carefully cleaning a small bone fragment. They are holding the bone in one hand and using a thin wooden tool to scrape away the soil that it is covered with. The archaeologist is wearing a yellow high-visibility vest and a cap. — Little is known about early religious communities from this area

The presence of a small number of men and children has raised questions about their relationships to the women buried at the site, and the team is working to determine whether they were family members or had other connections to the community.

The discovery of two women buried in a ditch, one with her hands and feet tied, has also sparked curiosity, with the team seeking to understand the circumstances that led to their burial in this manner.

The researchers are now exploring the possibility that the site may be an example of an early Christian community, a theory that could shed new light on the development of Christianity during this period.

Five archaeologists lying face down on the ground clustered around a grave. They are wearing bright yellow high-visibility vests and reaching down into the grave with their hands and tools. — The excavations will continue at the site in 2026

According to Dr. Seaman, this period in history is not well understood, and the site offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into the functioning and organization of early church communities.

The team's findings have the potential to fill a significant gap in our knowledge of early Christianity, and Dr. Seaman notes that the site is particularly valuable because it dates back to a formative period in the history of the church.

The discovery of the site, Dr. Seaman explains, provides a rare chance to examine the workings of an early Christian community, including its social structure, rituals, and daily life.

The archaeological team plans to resume excavations later this year, with the goal of uncovering further evidence and shedding more light on the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic site.

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Water Leak Affects 19th Century Artwork at Louvre Museum

The world’s most visited museum has been marred by a series of incidents, prompting growing scrutiny of its management.

The Louvre museum in Paris has experienced a significant setback due to a water leak that damaged a 19th-century ceiling painting, marking the latest in a series of challenges for the institution.

French gendarmes patrol in front of the Musee du Louvre and the Pyramide du Louvre

According to the museum, the water damage was discovered in room 707, also known as the "Duchâtel" room, on Thursday evening, with the room housing various artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The leak, which originated from a heating pipe, was reportedly stopped shortly after midnight, and the only artwork damaged was Charles Meynier's The Apotheosis of Poussin, Le Sueur and Le Brun, a ceiling painting.

This incident occurred just a day after French authorities detained nine individuals, including two museum staff members, in connection with an alleged ticket fraud scheme.

In recent months, the museum's management has faced increased scrutiny following a string of high-profile incidents, including the theft of French crown jewels and damage to hundreds of books due to a leak.

The Louvre reported that Thursday's leak occurred near the entrance to the paintings department in the Denon wing of the museum.

Firefighters responded promptly to the incident, and the leak was brought under control within 40 minutes of its discovery.

On Friday morning, a painting restorer assessed the damage to Meynier's ceiling painting and found that it had sustained two tears in the same area, as well as lifting of the paint layer on the ceiling and its arches.

The damaged ceiling painting, which dates back to 1822 and is signed by Meynier, depicts renowned French painters Nicolas Poussin, Eustache Le Sueur, and Charles Le Brun surrounded by angelic figures in the clouds.

As a precautionary measure, rooms 706, 707, and 708 in the Denon wing were closed on Friday morning but are expected to reopen later in the day.

The chief architect of historic monuments visited the site to evaluate the condition of the ceiling and determined that there were no structural issues.

A union representative informed Reuters that scaffolding had been erected in the affected area to facilitate repairs.

The extent of the damage to the painting and the building, as well as the associated costs, have not been disclosed.

This latest incident is part of a series of challenges faced by the Louvre, which is the most visited museum globally, in recent times.

In December, a leak in the Egyptian department damaged between 300 and 400 items, mostly books, with the museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, acknowledging that the issue had been known for years.

The previous month, the museum had to partially close one of its galleries featuring Greek vases and offices due to structural weaknesses.

This incident followed a high-profile burglary on October 19, in which four individuals stole historic jewelry valued at €88 million, exposing significant security gaps at the museum.

The thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony overlooking the River Seine.

Several individuals have been arrested in connection with the theft, which is still being investigated by the French authorities.

The majority of the stolen items remain unrecovered, and the museum has since relocated some of its most valuable jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping.

A report published by France's public audit body in October criticized the museum's excessive spending on artwork, stating that it had come at the expense of building maintenance and renovation.

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UAE Beats Canada in T20 World Cup Thanks to Sharma

The United Arab Emirates boosted their chances of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s after Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74 helped secure a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada.

The United Arab Emirates has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the T20 World Cup Super 8s, thanks in large part to Aryansh Sharma's impressive unbeaten 74, which helped secure a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada.

A recent match saw the UAE emerge victorious against Canada, enhancing their chances of advancing to the Super 8s in the T20 World Cup.

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Russell Describes Red Bull’s Advantage as Highly Intimidating

Mercedes driver George Russell notes that Red Bull’s lead at the forefront of the Formula 1 pack has been particularly noteworthy, revealing a significant gap that has caught the attention of many in the sport.

As George Russell enters his fifth season with Mercedes, the team is gearing up for a new challenge in the 2026 Formula 1 season.

According to Mercedes driver George Russell, Red Bull's current advantage at the front of the pack is a significant concern, with the team's performance in the first pre-season test at Bahrain being particularly noteworthy.

Russell described the display of speed by Red Bull in Bahrain as a "wake-up call" for their competitors, highlighting the team's impressive pace in the first of two pre-season tests.

The British driver noted that Red Bull's lead is substantial, with a gap of around half a second to a full second per lap, which is a considerable margin in the context of Formula 1.

Russell expressed his surprise at the scale of Red Bull's advantage, stating that it is unsettling to see such a significant difference in performance, especially given Red Bull's history of producing competitive cars, even when their engine was not the strongest.

The 2026 season marks the most significant rule change in Formula 1 history, with new specifications for engines, chassis, tires, and fuel, which promises to shake up the competitive landscape.

As a result of these changes, energy management has become a critical aspect of the sport, with engines now producing approximately half of their total power output from the electrical component, and limited battery capacity.

Rivals have analyzed GPS data from Red Bull's power unit during the Bahrain test, revealing that the team can sustain electrical energy deployment for longer periods than any of their competitors.

This achievement is all the more impressive considering that Red Bull has established its own engine company from scratch to comply with the new regulations and has partnered with Ford.

Last season, Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on the drivers' title, finishing just two points behind Lando Norris.

Russell stated that his team had observed Red Bull's strength from the outset of the 'shakedown' test in Spain last month, and their performance has been consistently impressive.

He noted that on the first day of testing in Barcelona, Red Bull immediately demonstrated a significant advantage over their competitors, including Mercedes, Ferrari, and others.

Russell acknowledged that Red Bull's performance in Bahrain has further solidified their position as the team to beat, at least for the time being.

Looking ahead to the first race of the season in Melbourne, Russell predicts that Red Bull will likely maintain their advantage, given their strong showing in both Barcelona and Bahrain.

However, Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has downplayed Mercedes' claims, suggesting that his team is not the benchmark, and instead, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren are currently ahead.

Wache argued that Red Bull's analysis indicates they are behind the top three teams, contrary to the assertions made by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc believes that Mercedes is concealing their true potential and that Red Bull and Mercedes have posted the fastest times, followed closely by his own team.

The new cars have sparked a debate among drivers, with some enjoying the updated handling and ride, while others have expressed reservations about the changes.

On the second day of testing, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen disagreed on whether the new cars are enjoyable to drive, reflecting the mixed opinions among drivers.

Russell described the 2026 cars as "much nicer to drive" in terms of handling and ride compared to the previous season's cars, but noted that the engines are highly complex.

He cautioned against drawing conclusions too early, as the true challenges of the new engines and energy management systems will only become apparent at more demanding tracks like Melbourne or Jeddah.

Russell elaborated on a point made by Verstappen regarding the unusual driving styles required by the new engines, which demand careful management of energy recovery.

Drivers are having to adapt to unconventional techniques, such as using lower gears in corners to keep the engine revving and maximize energy recovery.

Russell provided an example from the Bahrain test, where he had to use first gear in a corner that would normally be taken in third gear, in order to maintain high engine revs and keep the turbo spinning.

He acknowledged that this approach can be counterintuitive and frustrating at times.

Russell used an analogy to illustrate the point, comparing it to driving a road car and being told to use first gear in a roundabout, which would be unconventional and unnecessary at normal speeds.

He emphasized that the car is not designed to handle such low gears in certain corners, but drivers are having to work around these limitations to optimize energy recovery.

Russell explained that the car's design is not suited for such low gears, but the need to maintain high engine revs and turbo boost necessitates this approach.

As a result, drivers are having to adapt their techniques to prioritize energy management over traditional notions of fast cornering.

Russell noted that the critical nature of energy levels in determining lap times means that driving around a corner in the fastest possible way may not always result in the best overall lap time.

In the past, drivers could focus on finding the quickest line through a corner, but now they need to consider the broader implications of their actions on energy levels and overall lap time.

Russell stated that drivers must now wait for a full lap to understand the impact of their decisions on energy levels, rather than being able to instantly assess the effectiveness of a particular line or technique.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin is reported to be around four seconds off the pace of the top teams, highlighting the significant gap they need to bridge to be competitive.

The 2026 Formula 1 cars have been on display in Bahrain, showcasing the new designs and technologies.

The sport has introduced new terminology, including "active aero" and "overtake mode," which reflect the changes brought about by the new regulations.

Russell has expressed his desire to compete directly with Verstappen, setting the stage for an exciting season of racing.

The 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with the biggest rule change in Formula 1 history, a new generation of drivers, and a fresh wave of technological innovation.