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Ashmolean Museum to Return Tirumankai Alvar Bronze Statue to India

March 05, 2026

16th-Century Tamil Nadu Temple Idol Repatriated from Oxford Museum

A 16th-century bronze statue of Tirumankai Alvar is set to be returned to India by the Ashmolean Museum. The sculpture, approximately 57.5 centimetres tall, has been part of the museum’s collection since 1967. Recent research established that the statue originally belonged to a temple in Tamil Nadu, prompting the decision to repatriate the artefact. The move reflects growing international efforts to return cultural objects to their countries of origin.

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Zhurong Rover Finds Evidence of Ancient Beaches on Mars

March 05, 2026

Radar Data Suggests Mars Once Had Oceans and Shorelines

New radar observations from the Zhurong rover indicate that Mars may once have hosted beaches similar to those found on Earth. Scientists have long suspected that the Red Planet once possessed large bodies of water, but direct geological evidence has remained limited. A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences presents stronger evidence based on subsurface radar data that reveals buried structures resembling coastal deposits.

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200,000-Year-Old DNA Discovered at Schöningen Archaeological Site

March 05, 2026

Ancient Horse DNA Found in German Sediments Challenges Preservation Theory

Scientists have identified genetic material nearly 200,000 years old at the Schöningen archaeological site in Lower Saxony, Germany. The discovery challenges the long-held belief that extremely old DNA can survive only in frozen or cave environments. Researchers found that the genetic material remained preserved in open-air sediments exposed to varying climatic conditions for thousands of years. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

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Echinus Geyser Erupts Again in Yellowstone After Six Years

March 05, 2026

Rare Acidic Geyser Activity Resumes at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park has witnessed renewed eruptions from Echinus Geyser after nearly six years of inactivity. The geyser has begun sending bursts of hot, acidic water up to about 30 feet into the air, drawing attention from scientists and visitors. The recent eruptions represent the most regular activity recorded at the site since 2017, highlighting the constantly evolving hydrothermal systems beneath Yellowstone.

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Scientists Discover “Dark Oxygen” in Deep Pacific Ocean Without Sunlight

March 05, 2026

Deep-Sea Study Reveals Oxygen Production Near Polymetallic Nodules

Scientists investigating the deep Pacific Ocean have reported the detection of “dark oxygen” nearly 4,000 metres below the surface—an environment where sunlight cannot penetrate. The discovery challenges the long-held belief that oxygen on Earth is produced mainly through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight. The findings emerged from research conducted on mineral-rich formations on the ocean floor and have opened new debates about oxygen generation in extreme environments.

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