Neolithic settlement found in western Iran
Evidence of short-term settlement has been found around Ganj Darreh Mound, Kermanshah Province, which apparently dates back to the Pre-pottery era. Research Institute of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) quoted head of the excavation team in the mound in Harsin, western Iran, Hojjat Darabi as saying that the exploration is being conducted with the aim of determining the date of the settlement in the area and acquiring information about the start of agricultural and livestock activities in the central Zagros region, IRNA reported.
He added the exploration depends on creating a stratigraphical cut on top of the mound and in the vicinity of earlier excavations conducted by Canadian Philip Smith. Soot trapped in the feathers of songbirds over the past 100 years is causing scientists to revise their records of air pollution.
US researchers measured the black carbon found on 1,300 larks, woodpeckers and sparrows over the past century, BBC wrote.
They’ve produced the most complete picture to date of historic air quality over industrial parts of the US.
The study also boosts our understanding of historic climate change.
Smokey cities
Black carbon, a major component of soot, is created through the incomplete burning of fossil fuels
Darabi pointed to the studies conducted at depths of about two meters of the upper deposits during the current stratigraphy which has led to the identification and registration of adobe and clay architectural remnants.
The archeologist referred to the identification of evidence of short-term settlement around Ganj Darreh Mound, which seems to belong to the Pre-pottery Neolithic era and newer than the existing settlement on the hill itself.
He added: “Due to the complexity of the stratigraphy operation on Ganj Darreh Mound and the numerous architectural remnants, the excavation is rather slow in the area. It is hoped that with the completion of stratigraphy in future, the research objectives will be achieved.” such as coal.
The dirty air generated as a result became a major problem as industrialization expanded across Europe and the US at the end of the 19th century. Cities were soon coated in sooty air thanks to the unregulated burning of coal in homes and factories.
While the huge impact of black carbon on the health of people living in urban centers has been recognized for decades, it is only in recent years that scientists have understood the role it plays climate change.
When it is suspended in the air, the substance absorbs sunlight and increases warming in the atmosphere.
When it hits the ground it increases melting of snow and ice, and has been linked to the loss of ice in the Arctic region.
US researchers have struggled to find accurate records of the amount of black carbon that was emitted in the manufacturing belt of the US, around Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh at the end of the 19th century.