Researchers from Israel, Italy and the United States on the basis of the analysis of archaeological finds recreated the Earth’s magnetic moment that existed in the neolitis. The article of scientists has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Specialists analyzed 129 guns from silica and shards of ceramics from eight to ten thousand years found on the territory of the Archaeological Monument of Wadi Fierin in Jordan. In these ancient subjects, information on the magnetism of the past remains “frozen” in tiny crystals of ferromagnetic minerals, from where it can be “removed” in the laboratory.
Researchers found that the magnetic moment of the Earth is the main physical value that characterizes the ability to create and perceive the magnetic field – in neolithic was relatively small, but then increased sharply. Back in 7600 BC, he was about two thirds of the current one, but by 7000 before our era, his strength was more. After 5200 before our era, the magnetic moment began to slightly weaken.
Research results are important, researchers emphasize. The magnetic moment of the Earth throughout the time of its measurement (about 200 years) gradually decreases. This causes concerns that the planet can completely lose its magnetic field at a certain point.