The Indo-European Cognate Relationships (IE-CoR) dataset is a comprehensive, open-access relational database detailing cognates—inherited related words—across 160 Indo-European languages. Developed by a consortium of 89 linguists, it aims to serve as a benchmark for computational research into the evolution of this vast language family, encompassing 25,731 lexeme entries grouped into 4,981 cognate sets based on 170 core meanings. The dataset incorporates time calibration data, geographical/social metadata, and a novel structure for coding horizontal transfer, adhering to the Cross-Linguistic Data Format (CLDF) for interoperability and long-term accessibility. IE-CoR addresses limitations of previous datasets through improved coverage, rigorous coding protocols, and a focus on the primary cognate state of root morphemes, offering a valuable resource for phylogenetic and quantitative linguistic research.
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient human settlement in Tajikistan that dates back approximately 150,000 years.
Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan have discovered a multi-layered archaeological site in the Zeravshan Valley of Tajikistan. The site, named Soii Havzak, contains artifacts dating back as far as 150,000 years, making it a significant find for understanding early human settlements and migrations in Central Asia.
The discovery suggests that the Zeravshan Valley, known historically as a Silk Road route, was an important migration corridor for human species like Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
A new study suggests that the wheel may have been invented by copper miners in the Carpathian Mountains around 3900 B.C., using techniques from structural mechanics to trace the evolution of the wheel and axle.