Science and Technology: Experts work on Turkey's first astronomy heritage list

21/07/2008

Turkish academics compile their country's first astronomy heritage list. Also in the news: hackers attack a number of Montenegrin websites, and German experts unearth a hippodrome in Greece.

The first predicted solar eclipse was viewed in Ptara, Turkey. [Getty Images]

Scholars at Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University in Turkey are working on their country's first astronomy heritage list, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO said. A Turkish cultural site list related to astronomy is part of a UN initiative to declare 2009 the International Year of Astronomy. The list is likely to include the ancient city Ptara, where astronomers observed the first accurately predicted solar eclipse in 585 BC. Other sites are two obelisks dating back to 9000 BC and an observatory tower that served as an astronomy and science centre in ancient times.

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Hackers attacked the websites of the Montenegrin daily Vijesti and of a number of smaller companies Wednesday (July 16th), a day after two similar attacks against the internet page of national air carrier Montenegro Airlines. The hackers targeting Vijesti called themselves "the group of Kosovar hackers". Authorities believe their goal was to attract attention.

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Microbiologists from Greece's agriculture ministry are conducting epidemiological research to detect the possible presence of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus among goats, sheep and cows in the north of the country. They launched their research following the death of a woman from a tick bite in Komotini on July 4th. They will examine about 840 head of livestock.

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A team of German archaeologists discovered an ancient horse-racing course, where Emperor Nero may have competed for Olympic laurels around 1,600 years ago. The scholars found the hippodrome in Olympia, Greece, by using geomagnetic and geo-radar techniques. Experts say the place could become a sporting attraction similar to the Olympic stadium excavated about 50 years ago.

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Romanian archaeologists discovered a necropolis with about 350 graves from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD near Alba Iulia, Romania. The recent discovery might provide valuable proof of the Roman influence in Dacia during the first centuries after the birth of Christ. Experts called it the greatest archaeological discovery yet in the area of Alba Iulia, saying it proves the existence of the city since ancient times.

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A team of archaeologists in Bosnia and Herzegovina has unearthed two ancient Slavonic furnaces for melting iron ore. They made the discovery while excavating the Kicelj kod Tuzle, an archaeological site. The furnaces may date back to the 8th or 9th century AD.

(Various sources – 14/07/08 - 21/07/08)