Ancient Tombs, Expanding Universes, and the Long Journey of Sheep

The Point by Modern Sciences - May 28, 2025 (A)

Author

Don Smith
May 28, 2025

By The Modern Sciences Team

May 28, 2025

Good day, Cultivators of Curiosity!


Welcome to the 21st volume of The Point by Modern Sciences, where we delve into discoveries that challenge our understanding of history, cosmology, and agriculture. In this issue, we uncover how a monumental tomb in Pompeii reveals the often overlooked roles of women in ancient society, confirm new data that deepens the Hubble tension in cosmology, and trace the fascinating genetic history of domestic sheep over 12,000 years, shedding light on human-animal relationships.


These articles invite readers to rethink long-held assumptions—from the impact of women in the ancient world to the mysterious expansion of the universe and the origins of our domesticated animals. Each piece challenges traditional narratives, offering new insights that enrich our understanding of past and present dynamics. This volume is an essential read for those curious about the forces that have shaped civilization and the cosmos.


A short message from our friends at ElevenLabs


ElevenLabs is our favorite platform for AI-generated audio. We use it regularly to bring written content to life—whether it’s for narrating articles, sharing ideas, or creating hands-free learning experiences. It’s surprisingly easy to use, yet powerful enough to support complex projects. Here are just a few of the features we love:

  • Lifelike Voice Generation: Convert written content into ultra-realistic speech that sounds natural and engaging.

  • Podcast Creation: Turn any text, PDF, or link into a multi-voice podcast with GenFM—ideal for learning on the go or distributing audio content fast.

  • Voice Customization: Adjust tone, pitch, and style—or clone your own voice for a personal touch.

  • Multilingual Reach: Translate and dub content across 30+ languages while preserving tone and clarity.

  • Conversational AI: Build real-time, responsive voice agents that can handle dynamic back-and-forth dialogue.

  • Developer-Ready Tools: Easily integrate ElevenLabs into your own projects using fast, flexible APIs.

  • Strong Security: Your data is protected with enterprise-grade security, including SOC2 and GDPR compliance.


Try ElevenLabs for free before the trial ends:
https://try.elevenlabs.io/gs5z72a5o00z


(Pompeii Archaeological Park, 2025)

HISTORY

Life-size sculptures uncovered in Pompeii show that ancient women didn’t just have to be wives to make a difference

A newly uncovered tomb in Pompeii challenges long-held assumptions about women in ancient Rome. Life-size sculptures show a woman possibly honored as a priestess—standing taller than the man beside her, with symbols of power in hand. Her presence suggests status earned through service, not marriage, offering a fuller picture of women’s roles in Roman society. Read more.



The Point:

  • Pompeii's Tombs: A Reminder of Life and Death: Outside Pompeii's city walls, ancient tombs along the roads serve as poignant reminders of the past, offering reflections on life and death. These tombs, sometimes inscribed with advice or memorials, invite passersby to honor the deceased and learn from their experiences.

  • Monumental Tomb Discovery: A recently discovered monumental tomb outside Pompeii's gates features life-size statues of a woman and a man, offering insight into the societal roles of women in Roman times. The woman's status as a possible priestess is suggested by her laurel branch, challenging the traditional assumption that women in tombs were merely wives.

  • Reinterpreting Women's Roles in Ancient Society: Archaeological discoveries, such as the re-examination of a royal burial in Mycenae, challenge past assumptions about women's roles in ancient societies. DNA analysis revealed a woman and man were siblings, not married, highlighting that women were often significant figures in their own right, not just as wives.


SPACE

New Study Confirms Faster-than-Expected Universe Expansion, Deepening Hubble Tension

The universe is expanding faster than predicted, deepening a growing mystery called the Hubble tension. New measurements of galaxy distances confirm a higher expansion rate than models expect, suggesting gaps in our understanding of cosmology. This persistent discrepancy could point to new physics, forcing scientists to rethink how the universe behaves on its largest scales. Read more.



The Point:

  • Hubble Tension Grows: New findings confirm the universe's expansion is faster than current cosmological models predict, deepening the "Hubble tension" discrepancy.

  • Precise Measurement Method: By observing Type Ia supernovae in the nearby Coma Cluster, researchers calculated a Hubble constant of 76.5 km/s/Mpc, highlighting inconsistencies with early-universe predictions.

  • Implications for Cosmology: The persistent mismatch suggests flaws in established models, potentially reshaping our understanding of the universe’s behavior and evolution.


NATURE

Study Traces the Genetic History of Domestic Sheep Over 12,000 Years

By sequencing ancient DNA from sheep spanning 12,000 years, researchers have traced how domesticated sheep spread alongside human migration. The study reveals early domestication in central Turkey, selection for traits like white coats, and a major genetic shift during the Bronze Age. These findings link the evolution of domestic sheep to pivotal moments in human history. Read more.



The Point:

  • Tracing Sheep Domestication: Genetic analysis of 118 ancient sheep genomes reveals that domestication began over 11,000 years ago in central Turkey, where early farmers bred wild mouflon, the ancestors of modern sheep.

  • Early Selective Breeding: The discovery of the KIT gene, linked to white coat color, highlights how early farmers selectively bred sheep for specific traits. By 8,000 years ago, regional differences in domestic sheep had already emerged.

  • Sheep and Human Migration: A major migration of sheep from the Eurasian steppes into Europe during the Bronze Age mirrors human movements, suggesting that the spread of sheep herding and dairy production shaped ancient economies and cultures.