The strength of the Earth’s magnetic field was imprinted on minerals when they were first used by the craftsmen who made the bricks thousands of years ago
The study of bricks from ancient Mesopotamia provides important findings that may solve the “enigma” surrounding the Earth’s magnetic field.
According to University College London’s Institute of Archaeology, the research summarizes how changes in our planet’s magnetic field were imprinted in iron oxide grains inside ancient clay bricks.
In fact, the scientists who studied them managed to identify them 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 the time, and archaeologists have generally found the time periods of each one’s reign.
The strength of the Earth’s magnetic field was imprinted on the minerals when they were first used by the craftsmen who made the 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 sections from the bricks and used a magnetometer to make precise measurements which of course was helped by the knowledge of the time period indicated by the names of the kings.
Thus it was possible to create a historical map of the changes in the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field.
By mapping the changes of the magnetic field over time, a new tool for dating ancient objects is obtained – this is called “archaeomagnetism”.
Earth’s magnetic field strengthens and weakens over time, and these changes leave behind “signatures” in hot minerals that are sensitive to the magnetic field.
Among other things, the researchers found that in five samples dating back to 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 bursts of intensity are strong.
“The geomagnetic field is one of the most enigmatic phenomena in the geosciences. Well-dated archaeological finds from rich Mesopotamian cultures, especially bricks bearing the names of specific kings, provide an unprecedented opportunity to study changes in field strength at high temporal resolution, observing changes that took place over decades or even less. said Professor Lisa Tauxe, of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, who participated in the research.
Source :Skai
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