In the new issue of Archaeology, Samir S. Patel describes how "an almost featureless aluminum cylinder 5 feet in diameter" that spends its time "silently counting cosmic flotsam called muons" -- "ghost particles" that ceaselessly rain down from space -- will be installed in the jungles of Belize.
There, these machines will map the otherwise unexplored internal spaces of what the scientists call a "jungle-covered mound."
In other words, an ancient building that now appears simply to be part of the natural landscape -- a constructed terrain -- will be opened up to viewing for the first time since it was reclaimed by rain forest.
It's non-invasive archaeology by way of deep space.
This immediately reminded me of possible future exploration of anomalous formations on Mars.
1 comment:
Being an archaeology buff, I found this quite interesting. Thanks, Mac! :o)
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