5 most astonishing discoveries made around the world

Living in an advanced age with amazing technology comes with its perks. Amazing discoveries that happen almost every day, constantly expand our understanding of the world. From exploring distant stars to the tiny particles, each finding uncovers new secrets that keep us in awe. Whether it's digging up ancient artifacts or making breakthroughs in medicine, these discoveries change how we see things. As we uncover one mystery, it opens the door to others and shows us that there is always something to look forward to and learn from the universe.
In this spirit, here we list the five most astonishing discoveries made around the world.

In 2023, Europe's oldest pair of shoes believed to be around 6,000 years old, was discovered in a bat cave in Spain. According to a study published in the journal ‘Science Advances’, the sandals, woven from grass, were found alongside other ancient objects in the Cave of the Bats in Andalusia. Scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Alcala University in Spain analysed the artifacts, which also include baskets and sets of tools.
The study mentioned, “This assemblage represents one of the oldest and best-preserved collections of hunter-gatherer basketry in southern Europe. The sandals, baskets, and wooden artifacts with Neolithic chronologies constitute a unique sample of organic artifacts absent in other archaeological sites of early farmer communities.”

(Image: cuevamurcielagosalbunol.com)

Back in June 2023, in the Netherlands, archaeologists found a 4,000-year-old religious burial site, which is now referred to as the ‘Stonehenge of the Netherlands’. As per reports from Phys.org, the discovered mound, measuring 65 feet in diameter, holds the remains of approximately 60 individuals, including men, women, and children. The burial ground features several pathways that align with the sun during the winter and summer solstices, marking the longest and shortest days of the year. This significant discovery was made in the town of Tiel and could be made possible after six years of archaeological excavation.

A self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh was discovered in 2022, which was concealed beneath layers of glue and cardboard for over a century. The discovery occurred during the examination of Van Gogh's ‘Head of a Peasant Woman’ painting using X-ray technology in preparation for an upcoming exhibition. The previously hidden image was revealed on the back of the canvas, shielded by a layer of cardboard, as stated in a press release by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS).
The NGS, in their press release said, “Van Gogh often re-used canvases to save money. However, instead of painting over earlier works, he would turn the canvas around and work on the reverse. It may be possible to uncover the hidden self-portrait.”

(Image: NGS/ Photograph by Neil Hanna)

A study titled ‘The earliest unambiguous Neanderthal engravings on cave walls: La Roche-Cotard, Loire Valley, France’ in the journal Plos One put forward an astonishing discovery uncovered by scientists. Scientists found really old finger paintings in a cave in France and they are thought to be at least 50,000 years old. The art is on soft clay walls in La Roche-Cotard. The researchers say the drawings show that Neanderthals were more complex and creative than we thought.
Dr. Jean-Claude Marquet, the lead scientist of the study mentioned how the engravings are the earliest proof of Neanderthals doing art, and they seem to be carefully planned, not just random lines.