The ancient landscapes of Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park have long been a treasure trove for paleontologists seeking to unravel the mysteries of the past. However, a new study from McGill University is about to change the game when it comes to dating dinosaur fossils in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For decades, scientists have relied on a key geological marker – the contact between the Oldman and Dinosaur Park Formations – as a reference point to estimate the ages of fossil quarries. This method involves comparing how high or low a fossil site is relative to that boundary. But, according to researchers Alexandre Demers-Potvin and Professor Hans Larsson, this approach has significant limitations.

Their study, published in Palaeontologia Electronica, reveals that the Oldman-Dinosaur Park Formation boundary fluctuates in elevation by as much as 12 meters over short distances. This means that estimates of individual fossil ages could be off by a considerable margin – potentially altering our understanding of when different species lived.

To address these uncertainties, Demers-Potvin and Larsson employed advanced drone-assisted 3D mapping techniques to capture high-resolution images of a key fossil site in the park. By processing these images through structure-from-motion photogrammetry, the team created a precise 3D model of the terrain which is geolocated with GPS coordinates measured in the field.

The results are promising: this new dating method might be more dependable than relying on elevation measurements, and could lead to more accurate reconstructions of ancient ecosystems. By mapping sedimentary layers over a broader area, researchers may develop a much clearer picture of biodiversity shifts in an ancient terrestrial ecosystem.

“We’ve essentially shown that the dating method used for decades in Dinosaur Provincial Park may not be as reliable as previously thought,” said Demers-Potvin. “This opens the door to a more refined approach for understanding how different dinosaur species succeeded one another over time.”

The implications of this study are far-reaching, and could have significant impacts on our understanding of Earth’s history and past biodiversity changes. By refining our methods for dating dinosaur fossils, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex ecosystems that existed in the ancient world – and may even inform present and future life on our planet.

The discovery of a skeleton in a Roman cemetery in York has provided the first archaeological evidence of gladiatorial combat between humans and lions. The bite marks found on the skeleton confirm that it was a gladiator who fought against a lion, providing a rare glimpse into the lives of these ancient fighters.

Malin Holst, a lecturer in Osteoarchaeology at the University of York, led the research team that made this groundbreaking discovery. She explained that the bite marks were likely made by a lion, which confirms that the skeletons buried at the cemetery were gladiators rather than soldiers or slaves.

“This is the final piece of evidence from work that began in 2004,” said Holst. “We have been excavating and analyzing human remains from the Roman cemetery on Driffield Terrace, and this discovery provides a unique insight into the lives of these ancient fighters.”

The skeleton was buried with two others, and overlaid with horse bones. In life, it appears to have had some issues with its spine that may have been caused by overloading to its back, inflammation of its lung and thigh, as well as malnutrition as a child, which he recovered from.

The lion bite wound — confirmed by comparing it to sample bites from a lion at a zoo — was not healed and is therefore likely to have been his cause of death. It is believed that the individual was decapitated after death, which appears to have been a ritual for some individuals in the Roman period, although the reasons for this remain unclear.

Analysis of the skeleton points towards this being a Bestarius, a gladiator role undertaken by volunteers or slaves.

The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of Roman entertainment culture. It was previously thought that gladiatorial combat only took place in major cities like Rome, but this find suggests that it was also practiced in smaller cities and towns throughout the empire.

“We often have a mental image of these combats occurring at the grand surroundings of the Colosseum in Rome,” said Holst, “but these latest findings show that these sporting events had a far reach, well beyond the centre of core Roman territories.”

York appears to have held gladiator arena events until as late as the fourth century AD. The presence of distinguished Roman leaders in York would have meant they required a lavish social life, and it is not surprising to see evidence of gladiator events, as well as such an extensive burial site for them.

The research team’s findings were published in the Journal of Science and Medical Research PLoS One, and are a collaboration between the University of York, Maynooth University, Cranfield University, Durham University, King’s College London, York Archaeology, and York Osteoarchaeology Ltd.

In the depths of the last Ice Age, humans relied heavily on fire to survive. Whether for cooking, heating, or social gatherings, fire was an essential tool that played a crucial role in the daily lives of hunter-gatherers. However, despite its importance, surprisingly little well-preserved evidence of fire use has been found from the coldest period of the Ice Age in Europe.

A team of scientists led by the University of Algarve and the University of Vienna has now shed some light on this mystery through an analysis of three hearths at a prehistoric site in Ukraine. The results, published in the journal Geoarchaeology, show that people during the last Ice Age built different types of hearths and used mainly wood, but possibly also bones and fat, to fuel their fires.

The discovery is significant because it reveals a sophisticated mastery of pyrotechnics even in the face of extreme environmental stresses. The analysis shows that humans reached temperatures of more than 600°C, which was possible through careful control and management of fire. This suggests that hunter-gatherers not only used fire for warmth but also as a tool for cooking, making tools, and social gatherings.

One of the most interesting findings is that the three hearths are open and flat, with one being larger and thicker than the others. This suggests that higher temperatures were achieved in this particular fireplace, possibly indicating that people knew how to use fire in different ways depending on its purpose. The analysis also shows that humans used wood as their main fuel during the peak of the Ice Age, with charcoal analyses indicating spruce wood.

The study’s lead author, William Murphree, a geoarchaeologist at the University of Algarve, notes that despite these new findings, the small number of fireplaces from the Last Glacial Maximum remains puzzling. “Was most of the evidence destroyed by the ice-age-typical, alternating freezing and thawing of the soil?” he asks. “Or did people not find enough fuel during the Last Glacial Maximum? Did they not use fire, but instead relied on other technological solutions?”

By further uncovering the role of fire in human evolution, researchers hope to shed light on what is arguably one of the most fundamental technologies that has shaped our species’ success in populating every corner of this planet. The discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the past, and the many secrets that still remain hidden in the archaeological record.