Two sun stones, which are small flat shale pieces with finely incised patterns and sun motifs. They are known only from the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. National Museum of DenmarkShareFor all Earths roughly 4.5 billion year history, volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics have been shaping lifefor better or worse. A volcanic eruption sometime around 2,900 BCE in what is now Northern Europe may have blocked out the sun and subsequently harmed the agriculture-depended Neolithic peoples living there. Now, climatological evidence indicates that some shale sun stones found in present-day Denmark likely were related to this cataclysmic volcanic eruption. The findings are detailed in a study published January 16 in the journal Antiquity. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.Eruptions so large that they affect the weather on Earth have occurred numerous times in Earths history. In 43 BCE, a volcano in present day Alaska spewed so much sulphur into the air that Ancient Greek and Roman sources documented that harvests failed and famine and disease spread for years. Mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted in 1815 and led to the year without a summer in Europe and the United States, cooling temperatures for over three years and reducing crop yields.While scientists do not have any similar written sources of eruptions from Neolithic timesabout 10,000 to 2,000 BCEthey do have ice cores. These long time capsules that are brought up from glaciers can show millions of years of climate history.In this new study, climate scientists analyzed ice cores from the Greenland ice sheet. They analyzed the rings on some bites of wood in the cores and found evidence of frost during the spring and summer months both before and after 2,900 BCE. The team could also see reduced radiation from the sun and consequent cooling. Both of these can be traced in parts of North America and Europe around this same time period.That new climate data from the ice cores sheds new light on a group of unique archaeological artifacts called sun stones from the Vasagrd site on the island of Bornholm in Denmark.We have known for a long time that the sun was the focal point for the early agricultural cultures we know of in Northern Europe, study co-author and University of Copenhagen archeologist Rune Iversen said in a statement. They farmed the land and depended on the sun to bring home the harvest. If the sun almost disappeared due to mist in the stratosphere for longer periods of time, it would have been extremely frightening for them.Several sun stones were found at the Vasagrd West site in 2017. They are flat pieces of shale with engraving of the sun. The stones are believed to have symbolized fertility and may have been sacrificed to ensure sun and growth. The sun stones were put into ditches along with animal bones-belived to be the remains of ritual feastsbroken clay vessels, and flint objects sometime around 2,900 BCE. The ditches were then closed up with the sacrificial objects inside.According to the team, there is a high chance that a connection exists between the volcanic eruption, the subsequent changes in climate, and the ritual sun stone sacrifices. In addition to a deteriorating climate, Northern European Neolithic cultures were also affected by the plague and a major shift in cultural traditions.It is reasonable to believe that the Neolithic people on Bornholm wanted to protect themselves from further deterioration of the climate by sacrificing sun stones, said Iversen. Or perhaps they wanted to show their gratitude that the sun had returned again.Four of the sun stones are slated to go on display at the The National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen on January 28.The sunstones are completely unique, also in a European context, Lasse Vilien Srensen, a study co-author and senior researcher at The National Museum of Denmark, said in a statement. The closest we get to a similar sun-cult in the Neolithic is some passage graves in southern Scandinavia or henge structures like Stonehenge in England, which some researchers associate with the sun.

Nature, Published online: 16 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04069-8Arachnologist Lauren Esposito develops community platforms to share LGBTQ+ voices and wants to shed light on the overlooked intersectional barriers affecting queer people of colour.

In case you forgot it was still up there.

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Esteemed Polish development studio CD Projekt Red has a number of projects in development, including a remake of the 2007 original The Witcher game. It appears to still be relatively early days for the game, but there are already some key details to know. In this post, we're rounding up everything you need to know.In addition to The Witcher remake, CD Projekt is working on The Witcher 4, a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, a new Witcher game codenamed Project Sirius, and a new IP codenamed Project Hadar.The Witcher is getting a remake.Table of Contents [hide]When will The Witcher remake be released?When will The Witcher remake be released?CD Projekt Red announced The Witcher remake in October 2022, and there is no word on a release date as of yet.Continue Reading at GameSpot

In Robloxs Jujutsu Infinite, promotion lets you level up your character to a higher grade. This not only helps you stand out as an advanced player but also unlocks level caps, granting access to new missions and storyline quests.

Game localization is not just translating text into another languageit's a comprehensive process of adapting linguistic and cultural elements to make a game resonate with players worldwide. In today's global market, a game's success often hinges on how well it adapts to different cultures. Localization helps games feel personal and relatable, allowing them to capture the hearts of players across regions.Some games initially designed for specific markets achieve global success thanks t

With TikTok on the verge of disappearing from the U.S., users who look to the app for cleaning inspiration are turning to other mediums like Instagram and YouTube. Don't forget the OG source for streaming entertainment: television! If your laundry is piling up or you have dishes stacked in the sink, you might feel like you have too much to do to relax in front of the boob tube, but TV has long provided some of the best cleaning inspiration around. It could well be that the key to your tidying motivation is streaming some straight-up organizational content. Just as with home renovations, there are loads of great shows about cleaning that can inspire and motivate. Get Organized With the Home Edit Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin bring their Home Edit to your home by bringing it to celebrities homesand filming it. They help celebs like Reese Witherspoon and Khloe Kardashian organize their homes with their signature approach to form and function and their focus on color-coordinating. You can stream Get Organized With the Home Edit on Netflix. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Swedish Death Cleaning is a growing trend centered around preparing your home for your eventual demise. As macabre as that may sound, it's been cropping up more and more in books and now even on TV. An organizer, designer, and psychologist from Sweden help Americans sort out their homes and lives, offering tips for you to do it yourself along the way. You can stream this show on Peacock. Queer Eye Since its triumphant relaunch in 2018, Queer Eye has delighted audiences over eight seasons with expert-driven makeovers that span from home to personal style. For home inspo, watch design expert Bobby Berk's (and new interior guru Jeremiah Brent's) renovations, which can get you in the mood to turn your own space into something magical. Stream Queer Eye on Netflix. Hot Mess House Organizing expert Cas Aarssen is the mind behind some of the cleaning techniques I use every day. She's big on the belief that each persons own organizational style should be embraced, so whether you prefer your stuff hidden or organized visually where you can see it, she has custom tips. She shares those with families on her Discovery+ show and features a variety of homes and room types, so whether youre a visual organizer with a cramped office or a parent who favors an out-of-sight-out-of-mind approach in the playroom, theres inspiration for you here. Stream Hot Mess House on Discovery+. Tidying Up With Marie Kondo Marie Kondo, creator of the famous KonMari method, takes a light, optimistic approach to organizing and decluttering. If something doesnt spark joy, you toss it. If it does, you keep it. Her sweet but firm personality and focus on happiness might be just the encouragement you need to tackle that junk drawer. Stream this show on Netflix. Worn Stories If you have a hard time letting go of belongings, youre not alone. It might just help you to see the value other people assign to their clothes, which is what Worn Stories provides. It doesnt necessarily have tips for decluttering, but it can help you contextualize your own habits and decide whats really worth keeping after all. Stream Worn Stories on Netflix.The Minimalists: Less Is Now Another documentary that offers helpful insight is The Minimalists: Less Is Now. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus advocate for a challengethrow one thing out on the first day, two things the next day, and on and on for a full monthand speak to other people whose lives have been meaningfully changed by embracing minimalism. Maybe youll join them in shrugging off many of your material possessions for good. (I am a big fan of the Minimalists and regularly include their decluttering techniques when writing about my favorites.) You can stream this documentary on Netflix. Hoarders This show, which has been around for ages, focuses on people whose homes have been completely overtaken by hoarded clutter. That may not describe your situation, but the therapists and organizers who intervene on Hoarders share helpful tips, and the stories of perseverance are inspiring. You can stream Hoarders on Prime Video, Hulu, and Apple TV. Stay Here In this under-the-radar Netflix show from 2018, designer Genevieve Gorder and real estate pro Peter Lorimer counsel property owners on maximizing the potential of their short-term rental spaces. You can absorb a little business know-how while also getting tips on cleaning and decorating your own home to make it the most appealing it can be. Fantasize about making your space so welcoming and tidy that strangers would pay to stay there, then luxuriate in the fact that you get to enjoy it instead. You can stream Stay Here on Netflix.

The last few years have brought a barrage of cozy games, video games expressly designed to generate good vibes. That said, coziness isnt a virtue in and of itself. If youre looking for games to help you wind down, allow us to help. Weve curated a selection of our favorite chill titles, ones that purposefully deemphasize fail states, grinding, intense violence and other aggressive urges, but arent insufferably twee, dull or same-y. Yes, these include the Stardew Valleys and Animal Crossingsof the world, but weve also highlighted a number of lesser-known gems that span across genres. Heres a few of the best relaxing games for your Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC or mobile device. Recent updates January 2025: Weve added Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley and Little Kitty, Big City to the list. Check out our entire Best Games series including the best Nintendo Switch games, the best PS5 games, the best Xbox games, the best PC games and the best free games you can play today.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/best-relaxing-video-games-140048572.html?src=rss