Science Alert

Subscribe to Science Alert feed Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 1 hour 12 min ago

In 1998, a beachgoer spotted an upside-down tree in the sand, uncovering the ancient ritual secrets of Seahenge

04/05/2026
A prehistoric monument, Seahenge, was discovered at Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, dating back 4,000 years. This carefully constructed circle of oak timbers, featuring an upside-down tree stump at its center, was likely erected in a marshland and may have served as an 'excarnation' platform. Its excavation sparked a significant debate about heritage, balancing scientific preservation with spiritual reverence.

In 1799, soldiers fixing a wall found a slab that unlocked a language no one could speak

04/05/2026
During routine repairs in 1799, French soldiers near Rosetta discovered a granodiorite slab inscribed with three scripts. This artefact, the Rosetta Stone, proved to be the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Jean-Francois Champollion's groundbreaking work, comparing the stone's inscriptions with Coptic, revealed that hieroglyphs represented sounds, unlocking millennia of Egyptian history.

Is Africa breaking apart faster than expected? New study reveals ocean-forming rift accelerating

02/05/2026
Scientists have discovered that the East African Rift System is undergoing a continental break-up at an accelerated pace. The Earth's crust in the Turkana Rift Zone has significantly thinned, indicating a progression towards the formation of a new ocean. This geological activity also offers insights into the preservation of early human fossils.

Scientists say this 'sleepy' shark may be the oldest living vertebrate on Earth

02/05/2026
Scientists have discovered that Greenland sharks may be the longest-living animals on the planet. These incredible creatures can live for centuries, with some estimated to be older than the United States. Their slow metabolism and cold habitat contribute to their remarkable longevity. Researchers are studying these sharks to understand aging and disease.

In 2017, a survey team detected something on Lake Ontario's lakebed and stumbled upon a ghost ship frozen in time

02/05/2026
A remarkably preserved 19th-century sailing ship, discovered in Lake Ontario, is rewriting maritime history. Found upright and intact with masts still standing, this rare find offers invaluable insights into early shipbuilding. Its pristine condition, attributed to cold freshwater, is now threatened by invasive mussels, prompting urgent plans for further study.

Pages