Woman Convicted of Murder Conspiracy in Case of Jennifer Dulos

jennifer Dulos case
Jennifer Dulos disappeared in May of 2019 and was never found. Credit: New Caanan Police

A woman was convicted Friday of conspiring to murder missing mother-of-five Jennifer Dulos, who vanished from a wealthy Connecticut enclave in 2019 and was never found.

Prosecutors said Michelle Troconis, 49, helped her then-boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, in his plot to kill his estranged wife and cover it up.

In addition to the conspiracy to commit murder charge, which carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison, the jury convicted Troconis of hindering the prosecution and evidence tampering.

Authorities believe Fotis Dulos killed Jennifer Dulos as they battled each other in divorce and child custody proceedings.

The tragic story of Jennifer Dulos

Fifty-year-old Dulos disappeared in May of 2019 in New Canaan after she dropped her children off at school. Investigators found her car near a park not far from her home, but she has not been seen or heard from since.

Although her body has never been found, officials believe Jennifer Dulos is dead, as police found evidence of a violent attack at her home.

Fotis Dulos and Troconis were arrested in June of 2019 and charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence after investigators discovered that the pair had transported—and later disposed of—plastic bags containing items with Jennifer Dulos’ blood on them.

They pleaded not guilty at the time.

fotis dulos case
Dulos and Troconis. Credit: New Canaan Police

The Greek native was arrested on murder and kidnapping charges in January of 2020 and again pleaded not guilty.

While awaiting trial on the charge of murdering his wife, Greek-born Dulos attempted suicide and died two days later in January of 2020. His death has tragically furthered the mystery surrounding his estranged wife’s death and complicated the possibility of her remains ever being found.

The case drew widespread attention and was the subject of a made-for-TV movie, Lifetime’s Gone Mom.

Jennifer Dulos was a member of a wealthy New York City family whose father, the late Hilliard Farber, founded his own brokerage firm. She also was a niece by marriage of fashion designer Liz Claiborne.

Troconis, a dual American and Venezuelan citizen, has described herself as a co-founder of horse riding therapy programs in different parts of the world. She once had her own TV production company in Argentina and hosted a snow-sports show for ESPN South America.

Another defendant in the case, Kent Mawhinney, a friend of Fotis Dulos and his one-time lawyer in a civil case, is awaiting trial on a murder conspiracy charge. He has pleaded not guilty.

Divers Can Now Explore Four Ancient Shipwrecks in Greece

Ancient Shipwrecks Greece
The shipwrecks at the sites at the region of Magnesia in the Pagasetic Gulf are filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras. Credit: Ministry of Culture

Four stunning ancient shipwrecks off central Greece can now be explored by amateur divers, the Ministry of Culture announced this week.

The shipwrecks at the sites at the region of Magnesia in the Pagasetic Gulf are filled with artifacts from antiquity and the Roman and Byzantine eras, officials have announced.

Licensed local crews will accompany the divers and monitor them as they check out the treasures. Past shipwrecks have yielded bronze armor, marble statues, ceramics, gold jewelry and silver coins.

“We plan to highlight our marine cultural heritage,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

“We have responded to this great challenge by opening to the public a total of four underwater archaeological sites in the prefecture of Magnesia, which will allow Greece to join the world map of diving tourism.”

The Aegean is full of wrecks from antiquity, with too many on the seabed to count. These are monitored by the coastguard and you can be arrested for any unauthorized diving near the wrecks. The authorities are worried that valuable artifacts like amphorae might be stolen.

Up until now, only trained archaeologists and other experts were allowed to visit the three subterranean museums and even they needed special permission.

But the Greek Culture Ministry’s announcement comes after the authorities set up a supervised test project near the island of Alonissos, which has been running smoothly since 2019, the ministry says.

So treasures await for divers and the ministry alike, with the latter set to profit from the lucrative tourism.

The 4 ancient shipwrecks in Greece open to divers

Shipwreck of Alonissos

Ancient Greek shipwrecks
More than 3,500 amphorae were discovered at the Alonissos-Peristera shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The islet of Peristera is located east of Alonissos, within the marine park of the Northern Sporades.

Near its western rocky coast and at a depth of 22 to 30 meters, the ancient shipwreck dubbed the “the Parthenon of shipwrecks”, was discovered by a fisherman in 1985.

More than 3,500 amphorae have been discovered.  Two types of amphorae have been identified that come from Skopelos and probably carried wine.

The finds also include luxurious vessels that were secondary cargo, vessels for daily use of the crew (lamps, wicks, etc.), and items related to the equipment of the ship (lead anchor parts and nails).

Based on the findings, the shipwreck is dated to the last quarter of the 5th century BC.

Telegrafos Wreck

Ancient Shipwrecks Greece
Eight types of commercial amphorae were found at the Telegrafos shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The Shipwreck was located in “Telegrafos” bay in 2000. The area of the findings is located at a depth of 17 to 23 meters on a rocky bottom with sand pockets.

Eight types of commercial amphorae were found, all from the 4th century A.D. Traces of tar were found inside many amphorae indicating the transport of wine. The type represented with the most vessels (20) is from the Peloponnese. This set is the largest known concentration in Greece.

Other types come from the Northeast Aegean, while a unique amphora was identified as Palestinian.

Kikynthos Island

Kikynthos shipwreck
The Kikynthos shipwreck was a relatively small merchant ship of the middle Byzantine period. Credit: Ministry of Culture

The uninhabited islet of Kikynthos is developed as a natural breakwater at the entrance of Amaliapoli Bay, in the western Pagasitikos.

Due to the ancient remains that have been identified from the early Christian era to the 19th century, the islet has been declared an archaeological site.

On the northwest coast of the island, at a depth of 3.5 to 12m, a pile of large, but broken, transport vessels was discovered in 2005. These are parts of pithos that typologically appear as early as the 9th century and amphorae that date more precisely between the 11th and 12th centuries.

The archaeological data so far indicate a wreck of a relatively small merchant ship of the middle Byzantine period, probably of the 11th century.

Cape Glaros

Ancient shipwrecks Greece
Byzantine-era amphora seen at the Cape Glaros shipwreck. Credit: Ministry of Culture

On the southwestern shores of the Pagasitic Gulf, Cape Glaros was a dangerous passage for ships trying to enter the sheltered bay of ancient Nios.

Traces of at least four ancient shipwrecks – one Hellenistic, one Roman and two Byzantine – can be found at the bottom of Glaros, as well as vessels and anchors from other periods that represent possible discards.

Two concentrations with a total of over ten iron Byzantine anchors can be linked to 12th-13th century amphorae found in the same area, indicating the wreck of a large Byzantine merchant ship.

This is the largest set of Byzantine anchors that has been found in the Greek seas.

Greece Aims to Be Hotspot for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Greece Hotspot for LGBTQ+ Travelers
Acropolis view from Monastiraki Square. Credit: C Messier /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece aims to become a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travelers Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said after she signed a memorandum of cooperation with Queer Destinations company on Thursday.

At an event presenting the Tourism Ministry’s strategy to attract more LGBTQ+ visitors to the country, Kefalogianni said that Greece is the first country in Europe to open its arms to the community, and this agreement reflects the values Greece wants to promote as a tourism destination.

“As a country that cares about equality, diversity and inclusion, Greece recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all travelers feel welcome. This objective runs through all our other main objectives and policies in the Ministry of Tourism,” Kefalogianni said during a press conference.

How will Greece attract LGBTQ+ travelers?

The community represents over 10 percent of the global demand and nearly 16 percent of total expenditures in the tourism sector, which in absolute numbers exceeds $195 billion.

Greek initiatives include connecting the ministry’s national strategy with those of local destinations; amending the framework regulating hotel-customer relations; rating tourist accommodation on the degree of staff awareness and services to the LGBTQ+ community, and building relationships with specialized travel agencies and organizations abroad.

Kefalogianni said the ministry will soon carry out communication actions to promote LGBTQ+ tourism in Greece and also launch a special campaign to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community.

“There will be promotion through social media that Greece is a friendly country,” she said, adding that the Visit Greece website will soon be updated with places of interest, an interactive map and useful information for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Queer Destinations has a presence in 14 countries and trains tourism professionals to cater to needs of LGBTQ+ travelers. It networks with over 300 partners, including hotels. It assists businesses in adapting their products and ensuring the safety of all customers, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Greece approves same-sex marriage

The campaign to attract LGBTQ+ travelers to Greece follows the approval by the parliament in February of a law legalizing same-sex marriage.

It was a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government over the opposition of the country’s powerful Orthodox Church.

“The vote has passed: as of tonight, Greece is proud to become the 16th EU country to legislate marriage equality,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis posted on X. “This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values,” he added.

Mitsotakis, who personally spearheaded the bill, had urged lawmakers to “boldly abolish a serious inequality” in Greek democracy that had rendered same-sex families “invisible”.

Same-sex couples can now also adopt in Greece, but not have a baby through a surrogate.

Related: Europe, US Congratulate Greece on Same-Sex Marriage Law

First Ever Photo of Two Male Humpback Whales Having Sex

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First Ever Photo of Two Male Humpback Whales Having Sex
First-ever photo of two male humpback whales having sex. Credit: Marine Mammal Science / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Researchers have recently observed something never previously witnessed by humans. They observed two male humpback whales engaging in penetrative sex. This rare event took place near Maui, Hawaii in January 2022.

A group of citizen scientists aboard a private boat spotted the adult whales during their expedition. One of the whales appeared to be a different color than usual, catching the observers’ attention. They quickly deployed underwater cameras to document the encounter.

What they recorded was unprecedented. It was the first documented instance of one male humpback whale genitally penetrating itself into the other, as reported by Live Science.

In a study published on Tuesday, February 27th in the journal Marine Mammal Science, researchers stated, “This is the first report of penetration by a humpback whale and the first report of sexual activity between two male humpback whales.”

Forceful sexual intercourse on injured whale

The study says that the whales circled the boat for about thirty minutes. During this time, one of the humpbacks, identified as Whale B, seemed to be chasing the other, Whale A.

Whale A appeared to be in poor health, showing signs of emaciation and a significant jaw injury. Additionally, it was covered in whale lice, which are parasites indicating poor health.

This explains the unusual brownish color observed by citizen scientists at the beginning of the encounter. In contrast, Whale B looked healthy.

Throughout the entire encounter, Whale B had its penis extruded from its usual hiding place inside the genital slit. The researchers noted that Whale B repeatedly approached Whale A from the rear and penetrated the second whale. It seemed like Whale B held Whale A in place with its pectoral fins.

‘Whale A’ felt threatened and turned in “S” shape

In response to Whale B’s advances, Whale A contorted its body into an “S” shape. Previous research indicates that humpback whales in Hawaii adopt this posture when they feel threatened or stressed.

In their study, the researchers suggested that Whale A’s adoption of the “S” shape posture could indicate unwelcome behavior. However, they also proposed that Whale A might have lacked the energy to engage in avoidance strategies.

Despite attempting to slowly swim away from Whale B, Whale A did not make any sudden or powerful movements and did not dive out of sight during the encounter.

The study revealed that after Whale B had penetrated Whale A several times, Whale B dove underwater and did not return to the surface. Following this, Whale A remained visible for a short while before also disappearing beneath the waves. While the exact cause of Whale A’s jaw injury remains uncertain, researchers believe it could potentially be the consequence of a collision with a ship.

Satellite Images Show Indonesia’s New Jungle Capital, Nusantara

Satellite image showing Indonesia’s new jungle capital Nusantara
Satellite image showing Indonesia’s new jungle capital, Nusantara. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

NASA recently released striking images showcasing the emergence of Indonesia’s new jungle city on Borneo. These satellite shots, taken in April 2022 and February 2024, reveal significant developments in eastern Kalimantan.

However, the images clearly display the construction of new roads and buildings, marking the progress of Nusantara, Indonesia’s future capital.

On February 23rd, NASA’s Earth Observatory revealed these images captured by the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) on the Landsat 9 satellite and the OLI on Landsat 8. They were featured as part of NASA’s Image of the Day series.

These visuals underscore the strides made by outgoing President Joko Widodo in his bold endeavor to relocate Indonesia’s capital. Additionally, they shed light on the environmental consequences of the construction of the new city in Borneo.

Jakarta sinking below sea level

Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: flickr / The Diary of a Hotel Addict CC BY 2.0 DEED

One major reason behind the capital’s relocation is Jakarta’s potential sinking. Jakarta, Indonesia’s present capital, situated on the island of Java, is gradually sinking below sea level.

A study published in the journal Natural Hazards in 2011 revealed that Jakarta’s subsidence rate ranged between 0.4 and 6 inches (1 and 15 centimeters) annually, with certain areas sinking up to 11 inches (28 cm) per year.

This consistent decline, coupled with the impact of rising sea levels induced by climate change, poses a significant threat to the city’s future.

Heri Andreas, a researcher at the Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia who co-authored the study on Jakarta’s land subsidence, said that parts of the city could be underwater by 2050.

Additionally, Andreas emphasized the gravity of this issue by highlighting that the potential for Jakarta to be submerge isn’t a laughing matter. If we look at our models, by 2050, about 95 percent of North Jakarta will be submerged.

Jakarta’s sinking caused by groundwater extraction

Evidence suggests the sinking in Jakarta stems from excessive extraction of groundwater. Jakarta heavily depends on groundwater sourced from underground aquifers. As the groundwater level decreases, it triggers the sinking of the land above, as outlined in the study.

Additionally, Jakarta faces many challenges, including dense population, overcrowding, traffic congestion, hazardous air pollution, and drinking water shortages, as reported by NASA.

Moreover, President Widodo envisions Indonesia’s new capital on Borneo to be fundamentally distinct from Jakarta, aiming to address the critical issues.

Nusantara’s website affirms its commitment to becoming a sustainable city fueled by renewable energy. It also outlines plans for residential and commercial buildings to be erected using stringent, environmentally-friendly construction techniques.

Borneo, the third-largest non-continental island globally, is considerably less densely populated compared to Java. The island is divided among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, with Kalimantan constituting the majority of Indonesia’s territory.

Kalimantan offers ample space to establish a new, contemporary metropolis from the ground up. However, it’s crucial to note the island’s abundant natural habitats, according to Live Science.

How Many Pyramids Were Built in Ancient Egypt?

How many Egyptian pyramids are there.
How many pyramids were built in ancient Egypt? Credit: sheilapic76. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Egypt is famous for its pyramids, particularly the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. However, the exact number of pyramids that dot the lands of the north African country is still a hotly debated topic.

Google brings up the number 118 when asked how many pyramids there are in Egypt, an answer drawn from Wikipedia. A number of scholars claim the answer to this question is actually much more complex than might be supposed.

“I don’t think it’s an answerable question,” Anny Macy Roth, a clinical professor of art history and Hebrew and Judaic studies at New York University, told Live Science. The professor added that experts don’t necessarily agree on what counts as an Egyptian pyramid.

During the 25th dynasty (around 712 to 664 BC), ancient Egypt was ruled by pharaohs from Nubia (Now Sudan and parts of southern Egypt). The Nubian rulers built pyramids in Sudan while they were the leaders of Egypt, so it is a topic of debate as to whether the pyramids they had constructed in Sudan should be counted.

The Different Types of Pyramids in Ancient Egypt

Another issue is whether smaller pyramids, known as “Queen’s pyramids” and often built next to larger pyramids, should be categorized in the same way. For example, there are at least eight of these smaller pyramids placed around the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure at Giza. Researchers have also referred to these smaller structures as “secondary pyramids.”

Mark Lehner, president of Ancient Egypt Research Associates, highlighted another challenge with counting the pyramids. “It depends in part on what you call a pyramid,” he told Live Science, adding, “One problem is that not all pyramids were completed. And in some instances, construction of a pyramid stopped shortly after it began, so there’s the question of whether you count pyramids that hardly got started.”

Lehner went on to highlight that, during the New Kingdom (circa 1550 to 1070 BC), some individuals built private pyramids on their tombs, and so this adds further questions to the debate. “If you tried to include the non-royal pyramids of the New Kingdom, which were normally quite small and are often completely ruined, there are many, many examples, and probably many more that have been completely lost, or with foundations not yet excavated,” Roth said.

The number of pyramids in Egypt is clearly a question that is very difficult to answer, but one expert believes 118 is close. “I believe that figure is probably in the right ballpark, although I haven’t personally counted them all,” David Lightbody, an Egyptologist and adjunct professor at the University of Vermont, told Live Science.

Egypt is famous for its pyramids, but there are more of them in Sudan. Great numbers of pyramids continue to be discovered in the ancient cemeteries of Sudan, although they are a lot smaller than those in Giza.

Philistines Used Same Hallucinogens as in Ancient Greece, Study Finds

Philistines captives depicted at Medinet Habu
New study examining plant matter from two temples in Gath, one of the five cities of the Philistine pentapolis during the Iron Age, has revealed the influence of ancient Greece on the Philistines. Credit: Public domain

A new study examines the archaeological remains of food, seeds, and flowers found in the biblical city of Gath, Israel. These were used in the worship of female deities found at two Philistine temples. They were also used in ancient Greece.

A few of the plants found in both houses of worship are known for their medicinal or psychoactive qualities and were also used in ancient Greece in temples primarily dedicated to female deities such as Hera, goddess of marriage and childbirth, Artemis, goddess of vegetation, chastity, and childbirth, and Demeter, goddess of agriculture.

The study, which was published in Scientific Reports earlier this month, centers on two temples built on top of each other in the 10th century BC and 830 BC. They were wrecked by biblical King Hazael in his conquest of Gath, which is located in modern day central Israel near the Judean foothills.

The focus of the study was the plants found in the temples, including the remains of cereals, fruits, weeds, and herbs that the research team believe were prepared in situ as part of cult practices in the temples. They were consumed, sacrificed, and used as decorations.

Among the findings at the temples were loom weights, cooking facilities, and a storage jar from Jerusalem, which showed that some of the offerings in the house of worship may have been from the biblical kingdom of Judea. The loom weights are also evidence that women weaved in the temples for the goddess Asherah, the mother goddess in Canaanite and Philistine traditions. Loom weights were used in ancient Greece, too.

The Philistines have their origins in the Aegean Sea, settling in modern-day Southern Israel in the 12th century BC. They became ‘extinct’ around the 7th century, and while they are referenced in the Bible and in Egyptian and Assyrian texts, their traditions and religion still remain a mystery to this day.

Co-writer of the study Professor Aren Maeir of Bar Ilan University told The Times of Israel that the temples were “the first from an early period in Israel that have undergone a deep study of botanical remains.”

Plant matter reveals influence of ancient Greece on Philistine culture

The professor added that the discovery of “several plants that are known to be connected mainly to female deities in Greece” gave an indication of the foreign influences on Philistine culture. This may relate to the fact that some Philistines likely originated from Greece.

Included in these plants was the chaste tree with around one hundred fruits from the plant being found in the temples. The tree was used by Spartan cults in rites of worship for Artemis and Asclepios, the god of medicine. It was also made use of by the Heraion cult in Samos.

Purple Flowering Chaste Tree.
Purple Flowering Chaste Tree. Credit: Keen Report – News and Opinion. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Another plant examined by the research team was the crown daisy flower, which was utilized as a medicine and insecticide in ancient times. The flowers were used to weave garlands to crown statues of Artemis.

The researchers claim that the chaste tree and crown daisy, both of which possess colorful flowers, were probably employed both as part of rituals and as decoration for the Philistine temples they were found in. There were also several other types of leaves and garlands from other plants unearthed at the site.

Crown Daisy.
Crown Daisy. Credit: Zachi Evenor. CC BY 2.0/flickr

The two plants were unearthed alongside poison darnel, a hallucinogenic which was at one time used by midwives as a fortifying medicine.

Head researcher Dr. Suembikya Frumin claimed that the Philistine temples were the “earliest known ritual uses” of the chaste tree, crown daisy, and silvery scabious—another plant unearthed in the temples.

“These widespread Mediterranean plants connect Philistines with cultic rituals, mythology, and paraphernalia related to early deities of ancient Greece, such as Hera, Artemis, Demeter, and Asclepios,” she told The Times of Israel.

Intact Marble Head of Alexander the Great Uncovered in Turkey

Marble head of Alexander the Great Turkey
The 2nd century AD marble head of Alexander measures 23 centimeters. Credit: Düzce Municipality

The head of a statue determined by archaeologists to belong to Alexander the Great, was unearthed recently during excavations in north-western Turkey.

The marble head, dated to the 2nd century AD, was found at the top of a theater in the ancient city of Konuralp, near modern-day Düzce.

While most parts of the ancient theater have been unearthed during the excavations, similar historical remains such as the head of the Apollo statue and the head of Medusa were previously found in the upper part of the structure.

During the excavations carried out in the Konuralp Ancient Theater excavation area, archaeologists identified an artifact in the ground at the top of the theater area. As they kept digging, they removed the artifact, which appeared to be the head of a bust.

As a result of the consultation of history experts, it was determined that the bust head found belonged to the Macedonian King Alexander the Great.

In a statement, Konuralp Museum provided information about why they determined the bust to belong to Alexander the Great.

Bust Alexander the Great Turkey
Credit: Düzce Municipality

“The head, measuring 23 centimeters [from head to neck] was found during the excavations in the ancient theater. It is depicted with deep and upward-looking eyes made of marble, drill marks on the pupil and a slightly open mouth that does not show much of its teeth.

“His long curly hairstyle up to his neck and two strands of hair [Anastoli] in the middle of his forehead are like the mane of a lion. This depiction is a hair type typical of Alexander the Great,” the statement said.

The marble head of Alexander the Great delivered to Konuralp Museum

Historical Konuralp is 8 km north of Düzce; first settlements there go back to 3rd century BC. Until 74 BC, it was one of the most important cities belonging to Bithynia, which included Bilecik, Bolu, Sakarya, Kocaeli.

It was conquered by Pontus and then by the Roman Empire. During the Roman period, the city was influenced by Latin culture, and it changed its name to Prusias ad Hypium. Later on Christianity affected the city and after the separation of the Roman Empire in 395, it was controlled by the Eastern Roman Empire (the later Byzantine Empire).

In 1204, the Crusader armies invaded Constantinople, establishing the Latin Empire. Düzce and its surroundings are thought to be under the dominance of the Latin Empire during this period. Düzce was under Byzantine rule again from 1261 to 1323.

The Konuralp Museum has some rare exhibits. A 1st-century sarcophagus, Orpheus mosaic, the mosaic of Achilles and Thetis and the 2nd-century copy of Tyche and Plutus sculpture are among the notable items in the museum. There are 456 ethnographic items.

In the ethnography section clothes, weapons, and daily-usage articles about the late Ottoman era are exhibited. There are also 3837 coins from Hellenistic to Ottoman era.

Egypt’s First Complete Zodiac Uncovered in Esna Temple, Luxor

Egypt’s First Complete Zodiac
Ancient Sagittarius zodiac sign found at the Esna temple in Egypt. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities / Public Domain

A group of specialists from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities recently made a significant discovery when they uncovered a zodiac that had never been seen before.

The zodiac is located on the roof of the southern hall of the Esna Temple in Luxor Governorate. Along with the zodiac, there were also images of gods and animals that had never been documented before.

This important discovery was made during a project that aimed to document and restore the Esna Temple, as well as showcase its original colors. The project was led by the Egyptian-German archaeological mission.

Dr. Mostafa Waziry, who is the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized that the zodiac inscriptions were not found in the previous scientific documentation of the Temple of Esna by the French Egyptologist Serge Sauneron.

Dr. Waziri also noted that this discovery would significantly increase the number of visitors, both Egyptians and tourists, who are encouraged to visit the temple to see these unique astronomical scenes, especially since there are only two other examples of complete representations of the Zodiac in ancient Egypt, both found in the Dendera Temple complex in Qena Governorate.

A complete series of 12 zodiac symbols

Egyptian officials said that the discovery included a complete series of 12 zodiac symbols painted on a light blue background. The blue background of the symbols can be seen in the images shared by the Ministry.

The photos show two figures, colored red, standing facing each other and holding hands. These figures represent the Gemini symbol. A yellow scorpion surrounded by white stars represents the Scorpio sign, and a creature that looks like a centaur with two faces, holding a bow and arrow, represents Sagittarius.

According to Dr. Christian Leitz, head of the German side of the mission, the restoration team also found depictions of three  Egyptian gods, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, and of animals, including snakes and crocodiles, as well as representations of composite creatures used by the ancient Egyptians to measure time. These included a serpent with a ram’s head and a bird with a crocodile head and a snake’s tail. Inscriptions in black ink with the names of the divine creatures were also found.

A brief history of The Temple of Esna

The Khnum Temple in Esna, also referred to as the Esna Temple, was constructed to honor the god Khnum, along with his consorts Menhit and Nebtu, their children Heka, and the goddess Neith.

The temple was built using red sandstone, and its entrance was made up of six rows of four columns each. The columns featured capitals designed like lotus leaves.

However, each column was unique and differed from the others. The temple also had inscriptions in hieroglyphics which dated back to the reign of Decius, who ruled from 249 to 251 BC.

Greek Submarine ‘Delfin’ Was the First in History to Launch a Torpedo Attack

Greek submarine
The Xifias, sister ship to the Delfin, built to the same specifications. Credit: Bibliothèque nationale de France / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

The Delfin (“Dolphin”) was a Greek submarine in service with the Hellenic Navy during the Balkan Wars (1912-13) and the First World War (1914-18).

As well as representing a notable part of Greek maritime history, being the second submarine ever put into service by the Hellenic Navy, it also holds an important place in the broader military maritime history of the world.

In fact, the Delfin was the first submarine in world history to launch a torpedo attack against an enemy warship. This little-known but interesting chapter of maritime history is arguably an overlooked milestone in the progression of naval warfare, given the prominence submarines would gain in the Second World War and as nuclear-armed deterrents in the Cold War and contemporary eras.

Construction and specifications

The Delfin was ordered by the Hellenic Navy in 1910, just before the outbreak of the Balkan War. It was laid down the following year in the Schneider Shipyards in Toulon, France.

The Delfin was a French-built Schneider-Labeuf class submarine. Its length was 49.5 meters and it had a displacement of 360 tons when surfaced. When submerged, its displacement was 452 tons.

Submerged, the Greek submarine had a top speed of 8 knots (15 km/h), whereas on the surface it could reach a faster speed of 12 knots (22 km/h). It was powered by two Schneider-Carels diesel engines.

The sea vessel’s main armament was one 1 x 450mm torpedo tube at the bow. A total of six 4 x 450mm Drzewiecki drop-collar torpedoes were carried on board.

The Delfin was crewed by 24 submariners, as was her sister ship, the Xifias.

The Delfin is commissioned

Neither the submarine nor the torpedo were entirely new technology when the Delfin entered service with the Hellenic Navy on August 21, 1912. Nevertheless, submarine warfare was still very much in its infancy during the early 20th century.

The first officer in charge of the Delfin, Lieutenant Commander Stefanos Paparrigopoulos, was dispatched to France alongside a 17-man crew to receive training on the submarine’s operation.

However, Paparrigopoulos and his crew were unable to complete their training as the seemingly inevitable outbreak of the First Balkan War necessitated their immediate deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean theater of combat.

Thus, on September 29, the Delfin set sail from France, arriving at Corfu on October 4, just four days before the beginning of the war.

According to Zsis Fotakis, a Greek scholar of Naval History at the Hellenic Naval Academy, the crew of the Delfin raced back to Greek waters in a non-stop journey of 1,100 miles (1770 km). This confirmed the crew’s ability to effectively operate the submarine despite their relatively short training, but it also left them exhausted and less able to perform their tasks efficiently.

The First Balkan War

From Corfu, the Delfin sailed to the port of Piraeus. Here the submarine remained until October 19, which gave the crew more time to complete their training and make preparations.

The Delfin joined the main Greek fleet at its forward anchorage in Moudros Bay in Lemnos. It remained within the vicinity of Lemnos to complete diving exercises until November 20. Despite having to deal with several mechanical issues, the crew set out to patrol the waters outside the Dardanelles by day, before retiring to Tenedos at night.

On December 22, 1912, the Ottoman light cruiser Mecidiye was conducting a scouting mission in the waters surrounding the Dardanelles when it was spotted by the Delfin.

At 10:40, the Delfin launched a torpedo against the Mecidiye at a distance of 800 meters. However, the torpedo broke the surface of the water and passed the Ottoman vessel without sinking it.

Nevertheless, this was the first recorded torpedo attack by a submarine against a warship in recorded history. Earlier weapons referred to as “torpedoes” had been used by submarines before. However, these were not the same as the self-propelled ranged weapons classified as torpedoes today.

After the attempted torpedo attack, the submarine suffered further misfortune and ran aground on a shoal north of the island of Tenedos. The vessel was able to escape but could no longer submerge and was therefore forced to return to Piraeus for repairs.