Aqua Tofana was a potent, undetectable poison widely used in 17th-century Italy, particularly by women seeking to escape abusive or unwanted marriages. Developed by Teofania di Adamo, the poison was disguised as a cosmetic or devotional object, making it easy to administer discreetly. It contained a mixture of arsenic, lead, and belladonna, causing slow, agonizing deaths that mimicked illness, making it difficult to detect as murder. While the exact number of victims is unknown, Aqua Tofana became infamous, leading to di Adamo's execution and stricter regulations surrounding poisons. The legend of Aqua Tofana persists as a chilling example of women's desperate measures under patriarchal oppression.
Researchers believe they may have discovered a network of tunnels beneath Milan's Sforza Castle, potentially matching sketches made by Leonardo da Vinci during his time as a court engineer there in the late 15th century. Using ground-penetrating radar and archive research, the team identified several underground passages and chambers consistent with da Vinci's drawings, suggesting he may have played a larger role in the castle's design and construction than previously thought. Further investigation is needed to confirm the tunnels' connection to da Vinci, but the discovery offers a tantalizing glimpse into the artist's diverse talents and the castle's complex history.
Hacker News users discuss the discovery of tunnels potentially matching Leonardo da Vinci's sketches, expressing skepticism about the novelty. Several commenters point out that the tunnels have been known for a long time, even suggesting they've personally toured them. Some doubt da Vinci's direct involvement, proposing the tunnels pre-dated him and were simply documented in his drawings. Others question the CNN article's framing, suggesting it oversells a relatively mundane finding for clicks. A few users offer alternative theories about the tunnels' purpose, including water management or escape routes. Overall, the prevailing sentiment is one of mild disappointment, with commenters finding the "discovery" less exciting than the headline implies.
A richly decorated room, likely a triclinium or dining area used for banquets, has been unearthed at Pompeii. The frescoes adorning the walls depict scenes related to the Dionysian mysteries, including the initiation rites and a vibrant Dionysiac procession. Archaeologists believe the room, located in a domus (house) under excavation since 2018, provides valuable insights into the religious practices and social life of the city's inhabitants before the eruption of Vesuvius. The detailed frescoes, featuring figures like Dionysus, satyrs, maenads, and Pan, are remarkably well-preserved and offer a unique glimpse into this ancient cult.
Hacker News users discussed the exciting discovery of a fresco depicting Dionysian mysteries at Pompeii, expressing particular interest in the high level of preservation and vibrant colors. Some commenters speculated about the room's purpose, suggesting it may have been used for initiation rites or other cultic activities related to the Dionysian mysteries. Others focused on the historical context, drawing parallels to other archaeological finds and discussing the significance of Dionysus in Roman culture. Several users expressed a desire to visit the site and see the fresco in person. There was also some lighthearted discussion of the potential for hallucinogenic substances to have been involved in the rituals depicted.
Analysis of a victim's remains from Herculaneum, a town destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, revealed that the extreme heat of the pyroclastic flow vitrified the victim's brain tissue, turning it into a glassy substance. This is the first time this phenomenon has been observed in archaeological remains. The victim, believed to be a man in his 20s, was found lying face down on a wooden bed, likely killed instantly by the intense heat. The glassy material found in his skull, analyzed to be mostly fatty acids and human brain proteins, provides unique insight into the extreme temperatures reached during the eruption and their effects on human tissue.
HN commenters discuss the plausibility of the victim's brain vitrifying, with several expressing skepticism due to the required temperatures and rapid cooling. Some point out that other organic materials like wood don't typically vitrify in these circumstances, and question the lack of similar findings in other Vesuvius victims. One commenter with experience in glass production notes the differences between natural glass formation (like obsidian) and the creation of glass from organic matter. Others discuss the ethics of displaying human remains and the potential for further research to confirm or refute the vitrification claim. Some commenters also highlight the gruesome yet fascinating nature of the discovery and the unique glimpse it provides into the destruction of Pompeii.
Researchers have reconstructed the face of St. Thomas Aquinas using 3D modeling based on his skull, offering a glimpse of his appearance 750 years after his death. Analysis also suggests he suffered from a chronic ear infection and severe osteoarthritis, possibly contributing to his demise. While the cause of death remains uncertain, these findings provide valuable insight into the health and physical characteristics of the influential theologian and philosopher.
HN commenters discuss the methodology used to reconstruct Aquinas's face, with some skepticism about its accuracy given the reliance on skull shape alone and the potential for subjective interpretation by the artists. Several commenters point out the irony of reconstructing the face of a theologian who emphasized the immaterial soul over physical appearance. Others question the significance of the project, while some express interest in the historical and forensic aspects. A few commenters debate the cause of death, with one suggesting it might have been a stroke rather than the reported "cerebral stroke" mentioned in some historical accounts. Overall, the comments express a mixture of curiosity, doubt, and philosophical reflection on the nature of identity and the limits of historical reconstruction.
Analysis of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy discovered in the Alps, revealed the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. This makes Ötzi the oldest known case of Lyme disease. While the exact strain he carried is unknown and the extent to which the disease affected him remains unclear, the discovery pushes back the known history of Lyme disease significantly. This finding provides valuable insight into the evolution and long history of the disease, demonstrating that it has affected humans for millennia.
HN commenters discuss the challenges of definitively diagnosing ancient diseases like Lyme disease, given the limitations of analyzing ancient DNA and the potential for contamination. Some question whether Ötzi actually had Lyme disease, citing the possibility of other tick-borne illnesses with similar symptoms. The discussion also touches on the evolution of diseases and the prevalence of Lyme disease in the past, with some suggesting its current prevalence may be due to factors like habitat fragmentation and climate change. Finally, there's a brief exchange about the efficacy of different Lyme disease treatments.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43685033
Hacker News users discussed the implausibility of Aqua Tofana's claimed death toll (600 victims) by a single woman, suggesting it's likely exaggerated. Some commenters pointed out the difficulty in accurately attributing deaths to poisoning in the 17th century given the limited forensic capabilities. Others highlighted the societal context where women had limited options to escape abusive marriages, making poison a potential, albeit desperate, recourse. Several users also debated the composition of the poison itself, with speculation ranging from arsenic to more complex mixtures. The discussion also touched upon the lack of verifiable historical information surrounding Aqua Tofana, leading to skepticism about the narrative's accuracy.
The Hacker News post titled "Aqua Tofana: The 17th Century Husband Killer" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the linked article about the infamous poison.
Several commenters discuss the historical context of Aqua Tofana, with one pointing out the limited options available to women in that era who were trapped in abusive or unhappy marriages. They highlight how this societal constraint likely contributed to the demand for such a product. This commenter also mentions the difficulty in obtaining reliable statistics about Aqua Tofana's usage due to the secretive nature of its distribution and use.
Another commenter draws a parallel between Aqua Tofana and the modern phenomenon of mail-order brides, suggesting that both reflect a desire for control and agency in relationships, albeit through drastically different means. They posit that both phenomena arise from societal structures that restrict individual autonomy.
A separate thread discusses the composition of the poison itself, with commenters speculating on the likely ingredients based on the descriptions provided in the article. Arsenic is suggested as a primary component, along with possibly lead and belladonna. The slow-acting nature of the poison is also discussed, with commenters noting that this would have made it difficult to detect as the cause of death at the time.
One commenter questions the veracity of the historical accounts surrounding Aqua Tofana, suggesting that the numbers of victims attributed to the poison may be exaggerated or even fabricated. They propose that the story might have been embellished over time, becoming a sort of cautionary tale about female agency and transgression.
Some commenters delve into the legal ramifications of using such a poison, highlighting the difficulties in proving guilt in a time before modern forensic techniques. They discuss the reliance on circumstantial evidence and confessions, which could be coerced or unreliable.
Finally, several commenters express fascination with the historical narrative, describing it as a compelling example of the intersection of social history, toxicology, and crime. They praise the article for shedding light on this obscure but intriguing chapter of history.