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Giant Archaeological Trove Found Via Google Earth

An anonymous reader writes "Using detailed satellite imagery available through Google Earth, Australian researchers have discovered what may be tombs that are thousands of years old in remote stretches of Saudi Arabia (abstract). 'Kennedy scanned 1240 square kilometers in Saudi Arabia using Google Earth. From their birds-eye view he found 1977 potential archaeological sites, including 1082 "pendants" — ancient tear-drop shaped tombs made of stone. According to Kennedy, aerial photography of Saudi Arabia is not made available to most archaeologists, and it's difficult, if not impossible, to fly over the nation. "But, Google Earth can outflank them," he says. Kennedy confirmed that the sites were vestiges of an ancient life — rather than vegetation or shadow - by asking a friend in Saudi Arabia, who is not an archaeologist, to drive out to two of the sites and photograph them. By comparing the images with structures that Kennedy has seen in Jordan, he believes the sites may be up to 9000 years old, but ground verification is needed."

8 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. I must not be cut out for archeology... by Luthwyhn · · Score: 3, Funny

    From the "confirmation photo" in TFA, all I was able to confirm is that... yes, there are rocks in Saudi Arabia.

  2. juat one small favor by Coraon · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you find the ark, don't look in it. Seriously, don't look into it.

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    -Ours is the wisdom of Solomon, the magic of Merlyn, the fall of Icaris.
    1. Re:juat one small favor by physicsphairy · · Score: 3, Funny

      How will you know if it's the ark if you don't look in it?

      You won't, it will just remain both the ark and not the ark. But you can still sell it on ebay as a 50% superposition of the greatest archaeological find of all time.

  3. Re:Was it smart? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Exactly, now all of Saudi Arabia knows that there are potential archeological dig sites ...... somewhere in Saudi Arabia ...... near some rocks. I'd imagine the whole country is out right now digging everywhere there's rocks.

  4. Re:Was it smart? by molo · · Score: 3, Funny

    And half of them will strike oil.

    -molo

    --
    Using your sig line to advertise for friends is lame.
  5. Re:"Tear drop shaped structures" by geekoid · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Dudes, you're getting excited about a pile of stones!"
    Dude, It's archeology.

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    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  6. Re:Was it smart? by HornWumpus · · Score: 1, Funny

    They understand they are dealing with Arabs.

    The 'cute and distracting' one is a boy. Beloved is dangerous on the dozer. Her burka limits her vision.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  7. Re:Was it smart? by Nyder · · Score: 1, Funny

    More importantly, Saudi's official brand of Wahhabism dislikes anything that may be potentially idolatrous and proactively destroys historical monuments. Buildings found via excavation in Mecca have been bulldozed by royal edict.

    That's because those old building had something that Saudi's officials fear. Probably birth documents saying Saudi's are all Jewish or something. One of the lost tribes. Come to think of it, they are pretty rich...

    --
    Be seeing you...