If you’ve drunk wine infused with vanilla, then you’ve had a taste of royalty. Archaeologists have discovered several ancient storage jars from the debris of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem with traces of vanilla, a highly prized imported herb. The jars had a rosette stamp indicating they were part of the royal kingdom of Judah. This evidence, along with several wine-markers, points to the possibility that the ancient Judean elite drank wine infused with vanilla, showcasing their stature. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here