July's roundup of overlooked science stories includes cyborg cockroaches in diving suits, evidence of skilled archer princesses in ancient Egypt, confirmation of a companion star to Betelgeuse, and the resolution of a centuries-old mystery surrounding a Medici duke's death.
Genetic research on crocodile mummies from Kom Ombo Temple reveals they are West African crocodiles (Crocodylus suchus), not Nile crocodiles, suggesting ancient Egyptians distinguished species. Findings also indicate some were hunted wild, offering insights into ancient Egypt's environment and religious practices.
The 3,400-year-old tomb of Amenhotep III, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful pharaohs, has reopened to the public after two decades of restoration. Located in the Valley of the Kings, the site's reopening on October 4, 2025, precedes the Grand Egyptian Museum's debut, aiming to boost tourism.
New research reveals ancient Egyptians used a forgotten, high-volume Nile branch, the Khufu Branch, to transport massive pyramid stones. This 'water highway' flowed directly to the Giza Plateau, enabling smarter logistics rather than brute force.
The Grand Egyptian Museum, a spacious new institution outside Cairo dedicated to displaying artifacts from ancient Egypt, has finally opened its doors after decades of planning and construction.
Scientists using advanced CT and 3D scanning technology have examined ancient Egyptian mummified remains dating from 401 to 259 BCE, revealing unprecedented internal details without unwrapping. The scans uncovered a foot with a missing big toe, bones showing signs of osteoporosis, and remains from multiple individuals of different ages. The research was conducted at a medical research centre linked with Semmelweis University.
