New! Revealing the mystery of ‘Noah’: The amazing survival story of an ancient skeleton! (Video)

| Archeaology
October 29, 2024

Scientists at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia are literally cleaning out the skeletons in their closets. The museum staff recently rediscovered a 6,500-year-old human skeleton that has been locked away in the basement for 85 years.

A 6,500-year-old skeleton was unearthed at the site of Ur in Iraq. Here, the skeleton was covered with wax in the field and lifted whole along with the surrounding earth.
Hidden away in a warehouse, the wooden box had no identifying numbers or catalog card. But a recent effort to digitize some of the museum’s old records yielded new information about the history of the mysterious box and the skeleton, nicknamed “Noah,” inside it.

The human remains inside the box were originally unearthed between 1929 and 1930 at the site of Ur in present-day Iraq by Sir Leonard Woolley and his team of archaeologists from the Penn and British Museums, according to records.

Woolley’s excavation is best known for uncovering the famous Mesopotamian “royal cemetery,” which included hundreds of tombs and 16 graves loaded with cultural artifacts. But the archaeologist and his team also discovered tombs that predated Ur’s royal cemetery by about 2,000 years.

A light plaster mix is placed over the covered skeleton, the 6,500-year-old human remains discovered at the Ur site in Iraq, to protect it during transport. Silt is already being cut away from beneath the skeleton to make room for the transport platform.
In a floodplain nearly 50 feet (15 meters) below the surface of the Ur site, the team found 48 tombs dating to the Ubaid period, roughly 5500 to 4000 B.C.E.

Although remains from this period were extremely rare even in 1929, Woolley decided to recover only one skeleton from the site. He covered the bones and the surrounding soil with wax, packed them up, and shipped them to London and then to Philadelphia.

The teeth of this 6,500-year-old skeleton are well preserved, as seen in this view of the upper body and skull.
One set of lists outlined where artifacts from the 1929-1930 excavations were headed; while half of the artifacts remained in Iraq, the rest were split between London and Philadelphia.

One of the lists said the Penn Museum would receive a clay tray from the excavation, as well as two skeletons.

But when William Hafford, the project manager responsible for digitizing the museum’s records, saw the list, he was baffled. One of the two skeletons on the list was nowhere to be found.

Further research into the museum’s database revealed that the unidentified skeleton had been recorded as “unaccounted for” in 1990. To get to the bottom of this mystery, Hafford began exploring the extensive records left by Woolley himself.

After locating additional information, including images of the missing skeleton, Hafford reached out to Janet Monge, curator of physical anthropology at the Penn Museum. But Monge, like Hafford, had never seen the skeleton before.

It was then that Monge remembered the mysterious box in the basement.

When Monge opened the box later that day, he said it was clear the human remains inside were the same ones packed and shipped by Woolley.

The skeleton, he said, likely belonged to a man, aged 50 or older, who would have been between 5 feet 8 inches (173 centimetres) and 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.

Researchers at the Penn Museum have nicknamed the rediscovered skeleton “Noah,” because he is believed to have lived after what archaeological data suggests was a massive flood at the original site of Ur.

New scientific techniques not yet available in Woolley’s time could help Penn Museum scientists determine much more about the period to which these ancient remains belonged, including diet, ancestral origins, trauma, stress and disease.

Review: Top 10 Healthcare Services in the USA

The U.S. healthcare industry is a complex ecosystem of providers, insurers, and technology-driven services, delivering critical care to millions. In 2025, the sector is shaped by rising costs (projected at $4.9 trillion in 2023), technological innovation, and a focus on patient-centric care. Below is a detailed review of the top 10 healthcare services in the USA, based on market presence, patient outcomes, and industry impact.

1. HCA Healthcare

HCA Healthcare, based in Nashville, Tennessee, is the largest health system, operating 220 hospitals and over 40,000 staffed beds across 20 states. Known for comprehensive services, including emergency care, surgery, and specialty treatments, it generates significant net patient revenue. Its scale and advanced technology adoption ensure high-quality care, though accessibility varies by region.

2. Universal Health Services (UHS)

UHS manages 183 hospitals across 40 states, with over 21,000 beds, focusing on acute care and behavioral health. Its facilities in Texas, Florida, and California provide diverse services, from trauma care to psychiatric treatment. UHS’s emphasis on mental health integration aligns with 2025 trends, though high costs can be a barrier.

3. Encompass Health Corporation

With 164 hospitals, Encompass is the largest operator of rehabilitation hospitals, offering specialized post-acute care for stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury patients. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, it operates in 37 states, delivering measurable outcomes through therapy-focused programs. Its niche focus limits broader service scope.

4. CommonSpirit Health

A Catholic-affiliated system with 142 hospitals, CommonSpirit provides acute care, outpatient services, and telehealth across 21 states. It excels in community health programs and equitable access, serving underserved populations. Its integration of AI for diagnostics enhances efficiency, but merger-related challenges can affect consistency.

5. Ascension Health

Ascension operates 139 hospitals, focusing on primary care, oncology, and cardiology. With a mission-driven approach, it serves low-income communities through charity care programs. Its adoption of value-based care (VBC) models, projected to cover 90 million lives by 2027, improves outcomes but faces staffing shortages.

6. Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is a leading integrated healthcare provider, combining insurance and care delivery for 12.5 million members. Its ACA marketplace plans are top-rated for affordability and quality, with low deductibles and strong preventive care. Operating in eight states, its HMO model ensures coordinated care but limits patient choice.

7. Aetna (CVS Health)

Aetna, under CVS Health, provides health insurance and healthcare services, covering 39 million lives. Its ACA plans offer competitive premiums and broad networks, with telehealth and pharmacy integration via CVS. Aetna’s focus on chronic disease management and AI-driven care navigation boosts outcomes, though rural access is limited.

8. Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic, based in Rochester, Minnesota, is renowned for specialized care in oncology, cardiology, and neurology. With 70,000 staff and three major campuses, it serves 1.3 million patients annually. Its research-driven approach and high patient satisfaction earn it top rankings, but costs and geographic reach are drawbacks.

9. Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic, with 23 hospitals, is a leader in cardiac care and medical innovation, serving patients across Ohio, Florida, and Nevada. Its adoption of cloud computing and AI for diagnostics enhances precision medicine. High costs and limited national presence restrict accessibility for some.

10. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

BCBS, a federation of 34 independent companies, insures 115 million Americans, offering PPO, HMO, and EPO plans. Its ACA marketplace plans are widely available, with strong provider networks and wellness programs. BCBS’s focus on digital health tools and equitable access is notable, though premiums vary by state.

Choosing the Right Service

Selecting a healthcare service depends on location, medical needs, and budget. HCA and UHS offer broad hospital-based care, while Kaiser and Aetna excel in integrated insurance and delivery. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic are ideal for specialized treatments, and BCBS provides flexible insurance options. Compare costs (e.g., average ACA premium: $635/month), provider networks, and patient reviews on platforms like Healthgrades or U.S. News. With 26 million uninsured Americans and rising costs, prioritize services with telehealth, preventive care, and VBC to maximize value.

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