10 Recent Scientifically Solved Mysteries

By Queuebot in Science & Tech on Apr 8, 2009 at 9:29 pm

Since the beginning of modern science we have been solving the great mysteries around us. Because of recent advances in science and technology
we now have the ability to unravel some unknowns like never before. 

The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus near Athens Greece was constructed in the late 4th century BC and is one of the best preserved ancient theaters. Even in ancient times, the theater was considered to have great acoustics. The actors can be perfectly heard by all 15,000 spectators without amplification. To demonstrate the theaters great acoustics tour guides have their groups scattered in the stands and then show them how faint sounds can be heard at center-stage. How this sound quality was achieved has been the source of academic and amateur speculation for many years. One of the theories suggested that prevailing winds were carrying the sounds. It turns out that that answer is in the seats. In 2007 researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered that the limestone material of the seats provide a filtering effect suppressing low frequencies of voices, thus minimizing background crowd noise so the seats act as natural acoustic traps. It is still unknown whether the acoustic properties are the result of an accident or the product of advanced design.

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From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by sunnyspeaks.


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  1. WEIRjn
    Apr 8th, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Young Audio techs ALWAYS think they know more than us old guys.

    Fact is Audio Designers are always better with age unless they studied the old guys and their methods from a young age.

    Why should it be different in ancient Memphis than in Modern Memphis?

  2. Timm
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 1:46 am

    The ancient architechs obviously knew what they were doing – even if we don’t understand how they did it.

    For some stupid reason, modern man is so arrogant that he thinks if he can’t figure something out then his predecessors just got lucky…

  3. DaveL
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 2:26 am

    …and yet science still can’t figure out why I’m so damn secksy! :x

  4. Gauldar
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 9:12 am

    Ancient engineers and inventors were in a situation where there was no ‘status quo’ or solidly set assumptions to prevent the creative process. Some good ideas come from trial and error, and usually the best ones become known due to the error. I’ve also found that technological breakthroughs happen not from the constant improvement of the leading technology, but the stepping back and looking at something in the past and making it better with currant resources.

  5. Gauldar
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am

    Reading through these I have a feeling that even though these mysteries are scientifically proven like the face on mars, people will still cling to delusional beliefs that it’s just a cover-up to keep the truth from coming out. One of those strange quirks of human nature I guess.

  6. Gauldar
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Looks like I just received insight to clarifly my confusion. Go internet!

    http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20227021.600-on-the-trail-of-myt hical-beasts.html

  7. Ali S.
    Apr 9th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    @ DaveL

    Hahahaha! Well played, sir!


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