Hidden City Built 140,000 Years Ago Discovered at Bottom of Ocean  

The fossils were discovered by maritime sand miners in 2011. (Getty) 
The fossils were discovered by maritime sand miners in 2011. (Getty) 
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Hidden City Built 140,000 Years Ago Discovered at Bottom of Ocean  

The fossils were discovered by maritime sand miners in 2011. (Getty) 
The fossils were discovered by maritime sand miners in 2011. (Getty) 

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Indonesia that could rewrite the story of human origins.

They found the skull of Homo erectus, an ancient human ancestor, over 140,000 years after it was first buried, preserved beneath layers of silt and sand in the Madura Strait between the islands of Java and Madura, according to the Daily Mail.

Experts say the site may be the first physical evidence of the lost world, a prehistoric landmass known as Sundaland that once connected Southeast Asia in a vast tropical plain.

Alongside the skull bones, researchers recovered 6,000 of animal fossils of 36 species including those of Komodo dragons, buffalos, deer, and elephant.

Some of these had deliberate cut marks which is proof that early humans were practicing advanced hunting strategies.

These findings provide rare insight into ancient human life and the now-lost lands of Sundaland, offering a glimpse into the behaviors and adaptations of early human populations in response to environmental changes.

The fossils were discovered by maritime sand miners in 2011, but experts just recently established their age and species, marking an important milestone in paleoanthropology.

“This period is characterized by great morphological diversity and mobility of hominin populations in the region," said Harold Berghuis, an archaeologist at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands who led the investigation.

Between 14,000 and 7,000 years ago, melting glaciers caused sea levels to rise more than 120 meters, submerging the low-lying plains of Sundaland.

The discovery began during marine sand mining in the Madura Strait, where dredging brought up fossilized remains.



Saudi Pavilion Launches Cultural Exchange Program at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Pavilion Launches Cultural Exchange Program at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has launched its cultural exchange program, designed to provide professional and personal development for staff from participating pavilions. This initiative aims to share Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and global influence with new team members.

Director of the Saudi Pavilion Eng. Adel Alfayez said that the program celebrates unity through diversity and fosters collaboration among pavilions, enabling the exchange of stories and the building of connections.

Alfayez welcomed the new team members, highlighting their journey through the Kingdom's diverse heritage, landscapes, and economy. This experience will help them build meaningful relationships with visitors and enrich their careers in preparation for Expo 2030 Riyadh.

The program's inaugural phase includes 13 Saudi staff members distributed across five international pavilions, with 15 visiting international staff members rotating through key roles in the Saudi Pavilion for three months. Additional participants will join in later rounds.

Visiting staff will undergo comprehensive training, covering Saudi culture, occupational health and safety, pavilion operational objectives, and visitor experience management. A job shadowing system will provide direct support from Saudi colleagues, ensuring immersion in the Kingdom's culture and skill acquisition.

The Saudi Pavilion will host over 700 events during Expo 2025 Osaka, including live shows, performing arts, and heritage activities. Visitors can enjoy a rich cultural experience featuring an augmented reality exhibit, as well as musical performances and special events marking national occasions.