1902 - 1st night football game, Philadelphia Athletics beats Kanaweola AC, 39-0 1924 - British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin cancels Labour contract with USSR 1925 - Red Grange plays his final University of Illinois game and signs with the Chicago Bears 1938 - Nazi forces occupy western Czechoslovakia and declare inhabitants to be German citizens 1979 - Crowd at Islamabad, Pakistan attack US embassy, 1 dies 1993 - "Cyrano - The Musical" opens at Neil Simon Theater NYC for 137 performances 1995 - Israel grants jailed US spy Jonathan Pollard citizenship 1995 - Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 5,000 for 1st time More Historical Events »

Francisco HueichaleoAn illustration of the underwater hatching process of the mosasaur dinosaur. The largest reptile egg in recorded history has officially been discovered in Antarctica. The football-sized specimen is the first known fossilized soft-shell egg ever found on the continent, and is believed to have been laid by an extinct sea lizard around 66 million years ago. Published in the journal Nature, the research indicates a giant marine reptile known as a mosasaur most likely laid this egg. For lead author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas Austin’s School of Geosciences, Lucas Legendre, the discovery is remarkable in several significant ways. “It is from an animal the size of a large dinosaur, but it is completely unlike a dinosaur egg,” said Legendre. “It is most similar to the eggs of lizards and snakes, but it is from a truly giant relative of these animals.” Most remarkably, before this stunning find, it was generally believed that giant marine reptiles from the Cretaceous Period didn’t lay eggs. According to Legendre, “nothing like this has ever been discovered.” Diego PolResearchers didn’t even know the fossil was an egg until they pierced through its membrane with microscopes. The fossil, which measured 11 inches long and seven inches wide, was originally discovered by Chilean scientists nearly a decade ago. For years, it simply sat in the National Museum of Natural History’s Chile section — without as much as a label — despite its staggering size. “The almost-complete, football-sized soft-shelled egg is one of the largest eggs ever described,” said Julia Clarke of the University of Texas. Scientists cheekily referred to the specimen as “The Thing,” in honor of the mysterious alien organism that crash-landed in Antarctica in John Carpenter’s science-fiction horror film of the same name. Unlike that nefarious creature, this egg was spawned by an animal far more comprehensible. According to CNN, the mother who laid it would have been at least 200 feet long. The species has since been named Antarcticoolithus bradyi, and an analysis of 259 modern reptiles and their eggs suggests that this prehistoric sea lizard was a mosasaur. Legendre et al. (2020)A diagram connoting the various parts of the fossil egg and its relative size to a human adult. Researchers were unaware that this large fossil was even an egg until they pierced through its membrane with microscopes and the egg “visibly collapsed and folded.” As it stands, it’s one of the largest thin-shelled eggs ever found, second only to the elephant bird’s egg found in Madagascar. The egg’s structure bears similarities to the eggs of most snakes and lizards. This suggests an ovoviviparous lifestyle, whereby the animal hatches immediately after the egg is laid — having developed inside its shell within the mother all along. “Such a large egg with a relatively thin eggshell may reflect derived constraints associated with body shape, reproductive investment linked with gigantism, and lepidosaurian viviparity, in which a ‘vestigial’ egg is laid and hatches immediately,” the study more precisely explained. Of course, this particular egg had already hatched dozens of millions of years ago. While researchers largely agree that the animal within was a mosasaur, it could also very well have been a dinosaur species yet to be identified. Francisco Hueichaleo (2020)Experts are currently trying to assess whether the ancient reptile hatched on land or underwater, like modern sea turtles or sea snakes, respectively. Ultimately, the experts do have some considerable circumstantial evidence on their side, in terms of identifying the animal. Skeletons of both baby and adult mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were previously found nearby, suggesting the area was a “sort of nursery site.” The area does, indeed, contain a protective cove environment. The mothers could have laid their eggs in the open waters, just as sea snakes today do. Another theory posits that the adult reptile wriggled onto the shore and formed a makeshift nest with its tail, then hatched the egg. Then, it allowed the babies to scurry into the open waters as modern sea turtles do. In the end, many questions remain unanswered. What is clear, however, is that this is the largest reptile egg ever discovered — the consequent study of which has been published alongside a second paper that posits how soft-shell eggs might have evolved over time. After learning about the 66-million-year-old reptile egg discovered in Antarctica, read about divers who were looking for a WWII shipwreck discovering an enormous and gelatinous orb with thousands of baby squid inside. Then, learn about scientists discovering evidence of ancient Martian groundwater in Antarctica. The post 66-Million-Year-Old Mystery Fossil Known Only As ‘The Thing’ Turns Out To Be A Prehistoric Sea Lizard Egg appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Wisconsin Historical Society/FacebookThe first ancient canoe was found in Lake Mendota back in 2021. Over the past four years, archaeologists have uncovered 16 ancient canoes left along the shore of Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota by Indigenous people who once lived in the area. While experts have floated several theories about why there are so many boats at the site, they now think the area where the canoes were found functioned as a sort of “parking lot.” The site was located near a network of Indigenous trails, supporting the theory that ancient residents of Wisconsin disembarked at the location and proceeded to travel by foot to their destinations. What’s more, researchers believe the canoes were shared among the community and left floating in the lake for anyone to use as needed. Analysis of the artifacts is still ongoing, and archaeologists hope to find even more specimens to learn more about the area’s ancient past. The 16 Canoes Found In Lake Mendota The research into these canoes has been ongoing for several years, ever since the first vessel was found in 2021. Now, a total of 16 wooden canoes have been identified, ranging in age from 700 to 5,200 years old. Wisconsin Historical Society/FacebookThe oldest canoe found in Lake Mendota, which is about 5,200 years old. Experts’ latest theory is that the site was used as a type of docking station where anybody who needed to travel across Lake Mendota could board a canoe and later return it to the same spot — similar to a modern bike share arrangement. “It’s a parking spot that’s been used for millennia, over and over,” Wisconsin’s maritime archaeologist, Tamara Thomsen, told the Associated Press. These canoes were found with the help of Ho-Chunk Nation preservation officers and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. While the locations of 16 vessels have been mapped, just two have been pulled from the water so far. Still, scientists have been able to analyze the canoes that are still submerged — to surprising results. Wisconsin Historical Society/FacebookA map of the 16 canoes discovered by archaeologists. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the most recent boat is 700 years old, while the oldest dates back an astonishing 5,200 years. That makes it the third-oldest canoe ever discovered in eastern North America. It was built before the Great Pyramid of Giza. And researchers think that the lake could be hiding an even older canoe beneath its waters. What These Canoes Tell Us About Indigenous Life About 7,500 years ago, Wisconsin began experiencing a drought that lasted until around 1000 B.C.E. While the section of the lake where the canoes were found is 24 feet deep today, it was probably less than four feet deep when the boats were “parked” there, making it the ideal location for people to disembark for foot travel. Since this drought started 7,500 years ago, experts believe that they may eventually find a canoe that dates back that far. Wisconsin Historical Society/FacebookBill Quackenbush (right) alongside Christian Overland, the director of the Wisconsin Historical Society, looking over the canoe retrieved in 2021. For now, however, researchers are analyzing the boats they have found to learn more about the people who crafted them. They think members of the Ho-Chunk Nation may have used the canoes to travel across Lake Mendota and then walked to Lake Wingra, the location of a sacred spring they believed was a portal to the spirit world. “The canoes give us insight into a sophisticated travel network and interconnected communities who used their incredible skills and knowledge to live and thrive on lands where we still live and thrive today,” said Larry Plucinski, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “They reflect a deep relationship with the environment and the ingenuity of our ancestors.” And Bill Quackenbush, Ho-Chunk Nation’s tribal preservation officer, stated that the research project allows for a deeper understanding of Indigenous life and serves as a reminder of how long Indigenous people have lived in Wisconsin. “It is important that we document and share these stories so our youth feel that connection to our past,” Quackenbush explained. “Protecting and preserving this knowledge ensures that the next generation understands where we come from and why these stories matter.” After reading about the canoe “parking lot” found in a Wisconsin lake, learn about these famous sunken ships from history. Then, go inside the legend of the “Wisconsin Werewolf.” The post Archaeologists Uncover 16 Ancient Native American Canoes At The Bottom Of A Lake In Wisconsin appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Warner Bros./YouTubeBrad Renfro in the Joel Schumacher film The Client. The history of Hollywood is full of tragic stories about child stars. One of these troubled young actors was Brad Renfro. Renfro began his career with a starring role in the 1994 film The Client, despite having no previous acting experience. Needless to say, he had a natural talent, and many other opportunities soon followed. But behind the scenes, Brad Renfro’s personal life was spiraling out of control. He had a long struggle with substance abuse, which began when he was still a child, and he also had multiple run-ins with the law. Sadly, Renfro died of an accidental heroin overdose on Jan. 15, 2008. He was just 25. Brad Renfro’s Rise To Stardom Renfro Family PhotoYoung Brad Renfro in Knoxville, Tennessee. Brad Renfro was born on July 25, 1982, in Knoxville, Tennessee. When he was five years old, his parents got divorced. Since Brad’s father was largely absent and his mother was a heroin user, Brad was primarily raised by his grandmother, JoAnne Renfro, who tried to set a better example. When Brad was 10 years old, he attended the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program at Lincoln Park Elementary School. The officer teaching the class, Dennis Bowman, said that Brad caused so much disruption that he kicked him out on the very first day. In a twist of fate, a casting agency soon reached out to Bowman, as they were searching for a “tough, streetwise kid” to cast in an upcoming movie. Bowman immediately thought of Brad, later remembering, “He was a little hellion, but it was hard not to like him. You wanted to just take him under your wing and try to squeeze some sense into him.” Brad was soon selected to play the character Mark Sway in the 1994 film The Client. The character, who was a young witness in a Mafia case, seemed like a natural fit for the new actor in terms of his personality and behavior. Unfortunately, Brad also related to the character’s drinking and smoking, habits that he had already picked up by the age of 10. While Brad had no prior experience in acting, his impressive work in The Client would ultimately launch a whirlwind career in Hollywood. TriStar Pictures/YouTubeBrad Renfro and Ian McKellen in Apt Pupil. The success of The Client led to Brad winning The Hollywood Reporter’s “Young Star” award. He was later nominated for People’s “Top 30 Under 30.” He continued to rack up roles throughout the 1990s, including Huckleberry Finn in Tom and Huck and Erik in The Cure. He was also in Sleepers and Telling Lies in America. And Brad’s work in the 1998 film Apt Pupil earned him the Best Actor award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. He seemed to have a promising career ahead of him, but behind the scenes, he appeared to be struggling. Despite his young age, he was often seen chain smoking and sneaking beers when he thought no one was looking. Chillingly, Brad Renfro later revealed to his friends that he was also using heroin, which he had started injecting around age 12. He also said he had been born addicted to heroin because of his mother’s addiction. Ongoing Struggles With Substance Abuse And Run-Ins With The Law Broward County Sheriff’s OfficeBrad Renfro’s mug shot from 2000. Brad Renfro was just 15 years old when he was first arrested on drug charges alongside his 19-year-old cousin in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1998. The younger teen was caught with both marijuana and cocaine. The young actor ended up entering a plea bargain, in which he agreed to participate in random drug tests. At the time, he seemed to be mostly optimistic about what this incident might mean for his future. “I’m glad I got arrested, because it taught me a lot,” Brad Renfro told People. “I’ve had several months of being sober — I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t out of the woods. As the years progressed, he continued to struggle with substance abuse. By the time he was 18, he said that he had already been to rehab “a couple” of times. His next run-in with the law was in 2000, when he and his friend attempted to steal a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Renfro was charged with grand theft and criminal mischief. As a result, he was sentenced to two years probation and he was also ordered to pay the yacht repair costs. Unsurprisingly, Brad Renfro’s struggles with substance abuse and legal troubles had a big impact on his reputation in the public eye. In 2001, he violated his probation after being arrested for underage drinking. He then violated his probation again in 2002 after getting arrested for public intoxication and for driving without a valid license. Following these incidents, he was forcibly placed in a rehabilitation program. Still, his troubles continued. In 2005, Renfro was charged with driving under the influence. That same year, he faced perhaps his most infamous arrest when he was caught trying to buy heroin in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Renfro was charged with a felony count of attempting to possess heroin, and the photo of his arrest made it to the front page of The Los Angeles Times. By this point, Renfro’s career was clearly not what it once was. He was still working, but mainly doing smaller roles or appearing in direct-to-video films. Sadly, he would never have the chance to make a true comeback. Brad Renfro’s Death And His Tragic Legacy Find a GraveBrad Renfro’s grave at Red House Cemetery in Blaine, Tennessee. Brad Renfro’s drug problems would ultimately pave the way for his untimely death at the age of 25. On Jan. 15, 2008, Renfro was found unresponsive and not breathing in his Los Angeles apartment by his girlfriend. He had spent the prior night out with friends, and his girlfriend reported in her 911 call that he “might have taken a couple of pills last night.” Sadly, it was soon clear that he couldn’t be saved. Brad Renfro’s death was later ruled an accident caused by acute heroin/morphine intoxication. Renfro’s cousin Jesse Hasek later said that Renfro had been attempting to make positive lifestyle changes leading up to his demise and seemed to be in good spirits during their last reunion. As Hasek recalled: “This time, he was like, ‘I’ve got it figured out.’ It was the happiest I’ve seen him.” After Brad Renfro’s death, it was also revealed that he had a young son, who was living in Japan with the mother, a Japanese citizen. In all, Brad Renfro left behind a complicated legacy. Though he was remembered for his talent for playing troubled, intense, and vulnerable characters, he was also remembered for his many personal struggles. In recent years, many have suggested that Hollywood failed to properly support and protect Renfro during his childhood and into his teens. According to a Buzzfeed report, Renfro was invited to otherwise-adult-only gatherings when he was underage, and alcohol was present at these meetups. He started being depicted as a “heartthrob” when he wasn’t even 14, and the director Peter Horton praised the minor for his “sex appeal.” Renfro’s explicit and traumatic scenes in Apt Pupil have also been re-examined in recent years, especially since that movie was directed by Bryan Singer, who has faced many allegations of misconduct with minors. In a tragic full circle moment, the DARE officer who helped launch Brad Renfro’s acting career commented on his fatal overdose shortly after his death: “With all the other problems he had, I can’t say I was dumbfounded. I told everybody in 1993, ‘[Acting] will either be the best thing or the worst thing for Brad. Time will tell.’ I guess it told today.” After reading about the life and death of Brad Renfro, go inside the heartbreaking story of former child star Bobby Driscoll. Then, discover the shocking stories of Hollywood stage parents who exploited their own kids. The post ‘He Was A Little Hellion’: Inside The Short Life And Sudden Death Of Doomed Child Star Brad Renfro appeared first on All That's Interesting.

Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science MuseumThe discovery of the woman buried with scallops on her mouth is certainly unusual — and researchers still aren’t sure what these shells mean. While recently sweeping his metal detector across the ground in Trøndelag, Norway, hobby detectorist Roy Søreng got a hit. He found a buckle — which soon helped lead archaeologists to the 1,200-year-old grave of a Viking woman. But this one was unlike any grave that they had ever encountered before: The woman was carefully laid to rest with scallop shells placed atop her mouth. For now, researchers aren’t sure what the placement of the shells could mean. But this find is nevertheless an exciting one, especially since the grave was detected just before plowing that could have destroyed it forever. The Discovery Of A Viking Woman Buried With Scallop Shells Over Her Face According to a press release from the research organization Sintef and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the discovery of the Viking woman’s grave came by chance. It was found after metal detectorist Roy Søreng notified archaeologists that he’d discovered an ornate bowl buckle while treasure hunting at a farm in the village of Bjugn in Norway’s Trøndelag County. Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science MuseumThe bowl buckle found by the metal detectorist, which helped archaeologists discover the Viking woman’s grave. Archaeologists quickly came to investigate the site, where they happened to have found another Viking grave earlier in the year. Thanks to cooperation from the landowner, who agreed not to move ahead with potentially destructive plowing, they were able to investigate the area where Søreng had found the buckle. And there they found this site’s second Viking grave. But this grave was unusual. In some ways, it bore similarities to other known Viking graves. Archaeologists found that a Viking woman had been buried there, wearing “typical Viking Age clothing and jewelry” of the 9th century, including “two oval cup buckles” which once attached to the halter of a dress as well as “a small ring buckle” that secured the neckline of a petticoat. Archaeologists believe that she was probably a housewife married to a farmer. What caught the archaeologists’ attention, however, was that the Viking woman had been buried with two large scallop shells placed over her face. The scallop shells had been carefully positioned with the curved sides out, so that they partially covered the woman’s mouth. They also found a number of bird bones in the grave, seemingly taken from the wings. Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science MuseumA closer look at the scallop shells on the Viking woman’s face, carefully positioned to partially cover her mouth. “The most striking thing is two scallops placed at the mouth of the deceased,” Raymond Sauvage of the Department of Archaeology and Cultural History at the NTNU Science Museum stated in the press release. “This is a practice that is not previously known from pre-Christian graves in Norway. We do not yet know what the symbolism means.” Remaining Questions About The Viking Woman Found With Shells On Her Mouth For now, many questions remain about the Viking woman buried in Trøndelag. Archaeologists aren’t sure what the scallop shells mean, though experts do know that such shells were thought to represent life and death in the Roman era, and were likely a symbol of pilgrimage linked to St. James during the Middle Ages. Kristoffer Rantala/NTNU Science MuseumThe farm in Trøndelag, Norway where the Viking woman buried with scallop shells on her mouth was found. But while it’s difficult to determine what these shells may have meant for the Vikings — or at least for this Viking — archaeologists are eager to learn more. “We will examine the skeleton, preserve the objects and take samples for dating and DNA analysis,” Sauvage explained. Not only are researchers hopeful to learn more about this Viking woman buried with scallop shells, but they’re also curious to see if she was related to the other Viking who had previously been found right nearby, interred “one to three generations” before the newly-found woman, sometime in the eighth century C.E. Such analyses may provide more answers about who the woman was, her physical characteristics, and if she suffered from any diseases. But answers about the meaning behind the scallop shells placed carefully over her face remain elusive. After reading about the Viking woman who was mysteriously buried with scallop shells covering her face, discover the thrilling stories of some of the most famous Vikings to ever live. Then, see why historians suspect that Viking helmets didn’t actually have horns. The post A Metal Detectorist In Norway Uncovered The 1,200-Year-Old Skeleton Of A Female Viking — Who Was Buried With Seashells On Her Mouth appeared first on All That's Interesting.