Ancient bricks from Mesopotamia 'solve puzzle' of Earth's magnetic field

The study of bricks from ancient Mesopotamia provides important results that may solve the “puzzle” surrounding the Earth's magnetic field.

According to the Institute of Archaeology at University College London, the research summarizes how changes in our planet's magnetic field were imprinted in the iron oxide grains inside ancient clay bricks.

In fact, the scholars who studied it were able to identify it through the names of the kings that were engraved on the bricks.

When each brick was made, it was stamped with the name of the king at that time, and archaeologists have generally found the time periods of each one's rule.

The strength of the Earth's magnetic field was imprinted on metals when they were first used by artisans who made bricks thousands of years ago.

The researchers analyzed the magnetic “signature” in iron oxide grains embedded in 32 bricks from archaeological sites across Mesopotamia.

They took small portions of bricks and used a magnetometer to make precise measurements which of course helped them figure out what time period the names of the kings referred to.

Thus, it became possible to create a historical map of changes in the strength of the Earth's magnetic field.

By mapping magnetic field changes over time, a new tool has been obtained for dating ancient objects – this is called “archaeomagnetism.”

The Earth's magnetic field strengthens and weakens over time, and these changes leave behind “imprints” in hot metals that are sensitive to the magnetic field.

Among other things, the researchers found that in five samples dating from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, from 604 to 562 BC, the Earth's magnetic field appeared to change dramatically in a relatively short period of time, reinforcing speculation that sudden explosions of strong intensity.

“The geomagnetic field is one of the most mysterious phenomena in Earth sciences. Professor Lisa said that ancient archaeological finds from the rich cultures of Mesopotamia, especially bricks inscribed with the names of specific kings, provide an unprecedented opportunity to study changes in field strength with high temporal resolution, and monitor Changes that have occurred over decades or even less, said Tookes, of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who participated in the research.

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