ARTEFACTS
India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park to be set up in Ladakh
Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena lays foundation stone for India’s first petroglyph conservation park in Leh on World Heritage Day. The park aims to protect Ladakh’s ancient rock carvings threatened by tourism and development. An MoU with ASI supports preservation, while efforts will relocate endangered artefacts and promote curated heritage circuits with community participation.
Akshaya Tritiya 2026 date and time: Check city-wise muhurat timings for gold buying
Akshaya Tritiya, a festival believed to bring wealth, sees a surge in gold purchases, with demand often rising a week prior. This year, the auspicious day falls on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with specific muhurat timings varying by city. Consumers are increasingly opting for investment-grade gold like coins and bars, alongside digital gold, while traditional jewellery remains popular.
Titanic relic frozen in time quite literally: Titanic passenger's 18K Gold watch frozen at sinking moment up for auction—here's what it costs
A rare 18-carat gold watch, frozen at the exact moment the Titanic sank, is up for auction. Belonging to first-class passenger Frederick Sutton, who perished in the 1912 disaster, the timepiece's second hand remains stopped, a poignant reminder of the tragedy. Recovered from the ocean, this historic relic is expected to fetch over $100,000.
UK proposal to charge tourists to visit museums sparks backlash amid restitution demands
Britain is considering charging foreign tourists to enter national museums, a move that has sparked criticism from countries like Ghana and restitution groups. This proposal comes as many disputed artefacts, taken during the colonial era, remain on display in British institutions, raising concerns about fairness and accessibility for those seeking to view their heritage.
Could this Titanic survivor’s life vest sell for nearly $500K at auction? Here's what you need to know
A life vest worn by Titanic survivor Laura Mabel Francatelli is up for auction. Francatelli, a first-class passenger, survived the 1912 disaster on Lifeboat Number 1. The vest, signed by eight survivors, is estimated to fetch up to $475,000. This rare artifact remained with her family for decades before its sale. It represents a significant piece of Titanic history.
Why Vikings Buried Their Horses With Them, and What Archaeologists Just Found Is Surprising
New Viking discoveries in Sylta, Sweden, has offer a glimpse into ancient life. Over 500 iron artifacts linked to horse gear were unearthed. These items show horses were vital for status and identity. Cremations with horses suggest beliefs about the afterlife. The findings highlight Viking rituals and their symbolic world.

Reform UK threatens to deny visas to citizens of countries demanding reparations
Reform UK proposed denying visas to countries seeking slavery reparations, a move the Caribbean reparations commission decried as "toxic racism." The anti-immigration party stated it would block visa requests from nations demanding reparations, citing Britain's role in outlawing slavery. This proposal has drawn sharp criticism, with the CARICOM reparations chair calling it a "tragic" punishment of victims.

Shroud of Turin DNA analysis reveals possible Indian origin for 'Jesus Christ's burial cloth'
Shroud of Turin DNA Analysis: A genomic study published in Scientific Reports has revealed the presence of plant and human DNA lineages associated with the Indian subcontinent within the fibres of the Shroud of Turin. These findings suggest the cloth, long considered by many to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, may have been manufactured in India or transported through ancient trade routes like the Silk Road long before its recorded appearance in 14th-century Europe.

Roughly 300 kms from Pune, Hyderabad: 14 offbeat destinations for an extended Good Friday weekend, offering an unforgettable experience
With Good Friday offering a long weekend, metro dwellers in Pune and Hyderabad can escape the city's hustle. Explore offbeat destinations within 300 km, from Dandeli's wilderness and Amboli's misty hills to Hyderabad's ancient Belum Caves and scenic Ananthagiri Hills. These locations promise a refreshing break with nature, adventure, and tranquility.

Less than 300 km drive from Hyderabad: 7 lesser-known destinations for an extended Good Friday weekend, offering off-beat experience
Escape Hyderabad's hustle this Good Friday weekend. Discover five offbeat destinations within 300 km. Explore Belum Caves' natural formations. Visit Nelakondapalli for Buddhist heritage. Find solitude in Mallaram Forest. Spot wildlife at Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy Ananthagiri Hills' greenery and trekking. These spots offer a perfect getaway to refresh and explore.

Samrat Samprati Museum's message important for world facing instability & unrest: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat, highlighting its message of peace and non-violence amidst global unrest. He emphasized the museum's role in preserving India's rich heritage and correcting past governmental neglect in safeguarding ancient manuscripts and knowledge.

Ancient city found beneath Puri along with a secret tunnel from Jagannath Temple to the sea. Here's what we know
Scientists have discovered evidence of an ancient city buried beneath Puri, Odisha. High-tech scans using Ground Penetrating Radar show potential heritage sites stretching across the town. A remarkable finding suggests a tunnel may connect the Jagannath Temple to the sea. Artefacts like pottery and metal objects indicate a once-thriving settlement.

9 weird items currently floating in space and how they got there
Space is a cosmic junkyard filled with surprising items. From a Tesla Roadster to a lost toolbox, these objects tell tales of human endeavors. A lightsaber prop and Amelia Earhart's watch also float among the stars. These remnants highlight humanity's impact on the final frontier, showcasing both planned missions and accidental discards.

Word of the Day: Fastidious
Word of the Day: Fastidious reminds readers that language provides powerful tools for describing the subtle qualities that shape human character and professional excellence.

Mandatory gold hallmarking expanded to 7 more districts
Gold hallmarking: The seven districts are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan) and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh), an official statement said.

India reimagines its museums with tech, storytelling and mega-budget ambitions
India’s museum landscape is undergoing its most visible transformation as private institutions and public projects go big and immersive.

Once home to the Peacock Throne looted from India, Golestan Palace now bears scars of Iran conflict
Tehran’s historic Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has reportedly sustained significant structural damage following strikes near Arag Square. Images appear to show shattered glass and debris within the palace complex, which has long stood as a symbol of Persian royal heritage and architectural evolution. UNESCO has expressed concern and said it is closely monitoring the situation, emphasising the importance of protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones.

UK's Ashmolean museum sends back sacred idol to Tamil Nadu temple
The Ashmolean Museum in London has returned a 16th century bronze idol to India. This sacred icon belongs to a temple in Tamil Nadu. The museum acquired the idol in 1967. An independent researcher alerted the museum to its origins in 2019. This marks a significant moment for the museum. The idol was believed to be stolen.

Special category honours AI trailblazers: Meet the league of innovators across sustainability, accessibility, and more at the ET AI Awards 2025
As the curtains came to a close on the ET AI Awards 2025, held on February 26, in Bengaluru, the Special category saluted pioneers in business models, platforms, sustainability, customer service, HR, and accessibility. Their work fuels scalable AI adoption. Here is the complete list of winners.
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