Burial grounds often hold evidence of the inequality of people in ancient civilisations. For example, non-elite cemeteries in Amarna, Egypt held many bodies of young Egyptians with evidence of widespread malnutrition and hard labour. Many children at the North Tombs Cemeteries had spinal injuries that suggest they often carried heavy loads. Their shared graves and lack of grave goods in this cemetery contrast greatly with the opulence of the golden burial chamber of Tutankhamun, the last of the pharaohs of the Amarna period of ancient Egypt. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
