Move Over Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic and its later discovery was the most important maritime discovery of the 20th century. That discovery will continue to make history and awe thousands, if not millions of people. But the 21st century must find its own place in history, and it amy have done so in the past week with a discovery that is to science what the Titanic was to popular culture.

On Friday, January 9, 2009, the BBC reported the possible discovery of the HMS Beagle. The HMS Beagle was the ship that Charles Darwin sailed on to the Pacific when he formulated his theory on evolution.

The HMS Beagle made only three voyages before being sent the British Coast Guard to aid in their anti-smuggling campaign. After years of service in the Coast Guard, the HMS Beagle was decommissioned and sold off to be stripped and dismantled. According to the BBC article, it is believed that two local farmer purchased the ship and then let it sink in the muddy marshes of River Roach in Essex, England after they salvaged as much as they possibly could. Samples taken from the hull of the ship will eventually confirm whether or not the find is indeed the HMS Beagle, but already their are positive signs. The discovery is apporximately the same size as the HMS Beagle and the first samples have confirmed the presence of organisms, called diatoms, which are only found in the Pacific and Australian seas.

To read the complete article by Jeremy Grange, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7819991.stm.

Roman Expansion

Yesterday, CNN reported that archeologists in Germany discovered a battlefield from the Ancient Roman Empire. What is fascinating about this discovery is that it revises all previous notions of the Romans in Northern Germany. Prior to this discovery, historians believed the Germanic tribes defeated the Romans within a decade of Christ. The battlefield, however, proves the Romans were still strong and in control of Northern Germany into the third century. Archealogists at the site believe the Germanic tribes ambushed the Romans, but that the Romans were able to regroup and that advanced Roamn weaponry thwarted the ambush resulting in close hand-to-hand combat. One of the more interesting finds at the site was a Roman coin depicting the late second century Emperor Commodus. Most of the artifacts have been preserved so well that archealogists and historians can re-create portions of the third century battle.

The full story can be accessed on CNN's website at German Battlefield Yields Roman Surprises.