Dr. Woidich GmbHThe circular stone structure from the Roman era, believed to be a funerary monument, that was discovered near Wolkertshofen, Germany.Archaeologists have uncovered a rare circular monument in the German state of Bavaria, believed to be the remains of a burial mound from the Roman era.The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation discovered the mound while conducting work related to the construction of a new stormwater retention basin in the region. No human remains have been found at the monument, leading archaeologists to conclude that the circular monument may have been built as a cenotaph, symbolic memorial to someone who died elsewhere.The monument once sat near a major Roman road, leading from Nassenfels into the Altmhl Valley. While burial mounds were not uncommon in the Roman world, the particular size and construction of the newly-uncovered monument make it a unique find in the region.The Discovery Of A Roman Funerary Monument During Construction Work In GermanyDr. Woidich GmbHArchaeologists also found a square extension on the south side of the structure that may have served as a base for an altar.The monument was first unearthed last fall after construction began to install a new stormwater retention basin near Wolkertshofen, Germany. Because the region has been known to hold old settlements and burials, the construction project was conducted alongside the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation.At first, archaeologists only discovered ceramic fragments and hints of prehistoric settlement in the region. Then, they found the remains of a massive stone foundation.The stone foundation formed a circle just over 39 feet in diameter. It was composed of neatly stacked stones. Archaeologists also located a structure extending about 6 feet out from the monument on the south side of the circle.Archaeologists found no traces of human remains or burial artifacts at the site. This led the team to conclude that the mound was built as a cenotaph, or a symbolic burial mound for someone who died elsewhere and whose body was not present for interment.We didnt expect to discover a funerary monument of this age and scale, Mathias Pfeil, General Conservator at the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, said in a statement. Located along an important Roman road, this tumulus served both as a memorial and a statement of social prestige for the deceaseds family.Based on the material used to create the monument and the way in which it was built, archaeologists estimate it was built sometime during the Roman period. Similar burial mounds appeared in the northwest regions of the Roman Empire during the first century.The Prevalence Of Burial Mounds In The Roman ProvincesDr. Woidich GmbHThe excavation site of the circular Roman burial mound found in Wolkertshofen.At the time the burial mound was constructed, the region was known as the Roman province of Raetia. It extended from modern Switzerland into Liechtenstein, Northern Italy, Austria, and southern Germany.This area had a long history of burial monuments dating back as far as the Bronze Age. By the Iron Age, these mounds were often used for secondary burials.Archaeologists hypothesized that the Roman construction of burial mounds in the region beginning in the first century may have been done as an attempt to return to pre-Roman Celtic traditions.However, the construction of the monument is distinctly Roman. That, combined with its size and preservation, makes the circular mound unique for Raetia.Now, archaeologists are going to analyze soil samples and construction materials in order to determine the monuments approximate age. They also want to figure out if there were any different possible phases of use for the site. Indeed, much more remains to be uncovered regarding this unique find.After reading about the circular monument found in Bavaria, see the circular Mayan temple uncovered in Mexico. Then, learn about a 2,600-year-old burial mound in Germany that was made for a Celtic prince.The post Massive Funerary Monument From The Roman Era Unearthed During Construction Work In Germany appeared first on All That's Interesting.

ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock PhotoFormer attorney Alex Murdaugh has been convicted of numerous crimes, including the murders of his wife and son. South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh appeared to have it all. For generations, his family had held power in the Lowcountry as a prominent legal dynasty. He, his wife, and his two sons were local royalty.Everything changed on June 7, 2021, when Murdaughs wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, were found shot to death at the familys hunting estate. Murdaughs subsequent attempt at orchestrating his own murder to ensure his elder son, Buster, would be able to claim his $10 million life insurance policy only cast a greater spotlight on his familys troubles. As it turned out, those troubles were part of a much larger web of dark secrets.What began as a tragedy quickly spiraled into a captivating and disturbing expos of greed, fraud, addiction, and murder that forever tarnished the Murdaugh name a name now associated with scandal. The Murdaugh Murders At MoselleOn the night of June 7, 2021, Alex Murdaugh dialed 911 in a panic, saying that he found the bodies of his wife Maggie and son Paul. Theyd been shot to death near the familys hunting estate, Moselle, in Islandton, South Carolina. The transcript of the call has Murdaugh describing the scene in grisly detail.Shes shot in the head, and hes shot really bad, Murdaugh tells the dispatcher. Then, the dispatcher asks Murdaugh where Paul was shot. Murdaugh replies, Maam, I dont know but he has blood everywhere I see brain, I can see his brain. He then describes Maggies condition: Shes facedown. I tried to turn her a little bit, but shes got a hole in her head. Maggie Murdaugh/FacebookThe Murdaugh family: Buster, Maggie, Paul, and Alex.At the time of their murders, Maggie was 52 years old and Paul was just 22 years old. Paul had been shot twice at close range, and Maggie had been shot several times. Her body was a few yards away from Pauls, but they were both found near the familys dog kennels at Moselle.Initially, Alex Murdaugh told investigators he had been visiting his mother, who suffered from dementia, when the killings occurred. However, his story soon began to unravel, as evidence showed he clearly overestimated the time he spent with his mother that night. Cell phone records, GPS data, and forensic evidence would eventually contradict his alibi. But the real smoking gun in the case was a Snapchat video captured on Pauls phone just minutes before the murders. This video happened to include Alexs voice in the background. However, this crucial piece of evidence was only uncovered by police about a year and a half after the murders, as it took authorities a long time to unlock Pauls phone.The Snapchat video captured by Paul Murdaugh shortly before he was murdered.But Alex Murdaughs story began falling apart long before the Snapchat video ever came to light. Investigators quickly noticed inconsistencies and contradictions in his story. For instance, he claimed that he had tried to revive his wife and son, but he had no blood on his own clothes or body.Naturally, it wasnt long before his name was in the headlines again.Alex Murdaughs Staged Shooting Exposed A History Of Addiction And Financial CrimesOn Sept. 4, 2021, Alex Murdaugh was shot in the head while he was changing a tire on his car on a rural road. He was supposed to die in the shooting. Initially, he claimed the gunman was a stranger who drove a blue pickup. But he soon admitted he had orchestrated the incident himself, hiring a former client and alleged drug supplier, Curtis Edward Smith, to kill him so his surviving son, Buster, could collect on his $10 million life insurance policy.Murdaugh believed that if he died by suicide, the policy would not pay out to Buster, which is why he tried to arrange his own murder. But ultimately, the bullet only grazed his head, leaving a superficial wound. By September 6th, Murdaugh had publicly announced that he resigned from his law firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrickhe and that he planned to enter rehab because of his decades-long opioid addiction. As he put it: The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life. I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. Im resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. I am immensely sorry to everyone Ive hurt including my family, friends and colleagues. NetflixCurtis Edward Smith, the man who Murdaugh says assisted him in his failed suicide plot. Soon after that, however, Murdaughs former law firm released a separate statement, alleging Murdaugh had been misusing the companys money: His resignation came after the discovery by PMPED that Alex misappropriated funds in violation of PMPED standards and policies. A forensic accounting firm will be retained to conduct a thorough investigation.On September 14th, Smith was charged with assisted suicide, insurance fraud, assault, and firearms offenses. As the shocking truth was revealed about Murdaughs failed suicide plot, his attorney Richard Harpootlian claimed that his client was driven to this desperate act by despair.Harpootlian said Murdaughs attempted suicide was an attempt on his part to do something to protect his child amidst his worsening opioid addiction.Murdaugh, meanwhile, turned himself in on September 16th and was charged with insurance fraud and filing a false police report. After he was granted bond, he was given permission to go back to rehab after he surrendered his passport. As questions rose about Murdaughs bizarre, failed plan, questions also began to emerge about his misappropriated funds.It was later found that misusing money was just the tip of the iceberg.An Ominous Pattern Of Scandals, Greed, And Suspicious DeathsNetflixBefore Paul Murdaugh was murdered by his father, he was involved in a boating incident in 2019, which led to the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. Paul, then also 19, was allegedly intoxicated when he accidentally crashed the boat.A 2024 statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office, District of South Carolina eventually revealed that Alex Murdaugh had been embroiled in multiple financial schemes dating back more than a decade. One wire fraud scheme beginning around July 2011 lasted until October 2021, and involved Murdaughs banker, Russell Laffitte, while a second scheme that ran from September 2005 to September 2021 saw Murdaugh obtaining money from his clients and his law firm by means of false pretenses. He had also, from around February 2018 to October 2020, conspired with another attorney, Cory Fleming, to defraud the estate of his former housekeeper and his homeowners insurance carriers.As investigators slowly uncovered this information, they came to realize that Murdaughs staged suicide attempt wasnt an isolated misstep that came out of nowhere. Instead, he was seemingly trying to escape accountability for his involvement in financial crimes and other suspicious events. One of the most infamous cases involved the death of the Murdaugh familys longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who died in February 2018 after a trip and fall accident at the Murdaugh home. No autopsy was conducted, and her death certificate listed the cause as natural, inconsistent with injuries that she wouldve sustained after tripping and falling.After Satterfields death, Murdaugh recommended that her sons hire Fleming, so that they could bring a wrongful death claim against him and eventually collect money from his homeowners insurance policies.Though Murdaughs insurance companies settled the estates claim for two payments, $505,000 and $3,800,000, Satterfields sons never saw any of the money. As it was later revealed, Murdaugh and Fleming were stealing it.In the meantime, another mysterious case from 2015 also resurfaced during the investigation of Alex Murdaugh. This involved 19-year-old Stephen Smith, who was found dead on a rural road about 10 miles from the Murdaugh home. Initially ruled a hit-and-run but with no suspects the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) decided to reopen the investigation in the wake of the Murdaugh murders. Eventually, authorities revealed that Smiths death may have been a homicide.While the mystery of Smiths death remains unsolved to this day, and the exact link between his demise and the Murdaugh family is unclear, the tragic loss continues to raise questions about just how influential the Murdaugh family had truly been and what they were capable of. Notably, the Murdaugh family was also entangled in serious legal trouble connected to Paul leading up to Pauls murder. In February 2019, while allegedly drunk, a then 19-year-old Paul had accidentally crashed a family boat into a bridge, throwing many of his young passengers into the water. Tragically, this incident led to the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach. NetflixMallory Beach, the young victim of Paul Murdaughs boating accident, pictured with her boyfriend Anthony Cook.By April 2019, Paul Murdaugh had been charged with three felony counts in connection with the deadly boat crash. He pleaded not guilty, but was awaiting trial regarding the incident at the time of his own death. Beachs family eventually also sued Alex Murdaugh for Beachs wrongful death. Crucially, a lawyer for the Beach family was pushing for access to Alex Murdaughs financial records in the lead-up to Paul and Maggies murders.As investigators uncovered the depth of Murdaughs financial crimes and the tangled web of lies and deception that had gone on for years, they seemed to find more and more victims who were taken advantage of by Murdaugh.Many of his victims were vulnerable people who trusted him. In one case, he stole from a client who became a quadriplegic after a crash. In another, he took money meant for children whose parents died in a wreck.By November 2023, Murdaugh had pleaded guilty to almost two dozen state financial charges against him, including money laundering, conspiracy, forgery, and tax evasion. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison for those crimes. Then, in April 2024, he was sentenced to 40 years behind bars for federal financial crimes, including wire fraud and bank fraud. Murdaughs victims turned to him when they were particularly vulnerable, after suffering serious injuries and losing loved ones, said Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. They put their trust in him as their lawyer, and he betrayed them. His crimes were cold, calculated, and brazen, and he earned every day of his 40-year sentence.Of course, Murdaugh was also found guilty of even more serious crimes.Alex Murdaughs Murder TrialNetflixAlex Murdaugh in court.The murders of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh had been the inciting incident for a series of events that saw the gradual undoing of decades of prominence for the Murdaugh family. But even as Alex Murdaughs financial schemes started to come to light, the question still remained of what, exactly, had happened to his wife and son. Prosecutors had a compelling story: Alex Murdaugh had murdered Maggie and Paul to gain sympathy from the public, escape accountability, and buy time as his financial crimes emerged. Murdaughs murder trial officially began in January 2023, with prosecutors presenting cellphone records, GPS data, and Murdaughs changing statements to investigators. The Snapchat video taken by Paul, revealed only in February 2023, became crucial to their case. If Alex had been home that night in the very same area where Maggie and Paul were killed why had he lied? More importantly, wouldnt he have seen or heard something if there had indeed been another person there to kill them? Despite the evidence against him, the Associated Press reported that Murdaugh denied guilt even at the very end of the trial. Murdaugh said, As I tell you again, I respect this court. But I am innocent. I would never under any circumstances hurt my wife Maggie and I would never under any circumstances hurt my son Paul-Paul.And it might not have been you, Circuit Court Judge Clifton Newman replied. It might have been the monster you become. Defense Lawyers Continue To File Appeals And Demand A New TrialWith that, Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole in March 2023. But his lawyers argued, during the trial and afterward, that investigators had mishandled the crime scene, and that no direct physical evidence tied Murdaugh to the killings. They continued to file appeals alleging jury tampering by Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca Becky Hill. In January 2024, a judge denied the motion for a new trial, but as ABC News reported, Hill was eventually charged with misconduct and perjury, largely relating to a book about the trial that she had co-authored. The book also faced accusations of plagiarism, leading to it being pulled from publication. ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Stock PhotoBuster Murdaugh in court during his fathers trial.As recently as Sept. 10, 2025, Murdaughs lawyers are still asking for a new trial in the double murder. They continue to argue that police mishandled evidence in the case, and theyve cited Hills apparent lack of credibility as additional support for their previous claims of jury tampering. The state Supreme Court has yet to make a ruling on this new trial bid, but prosecutors made their own feelings known in a 181-page document that was filed a month earlier. The jury convicted Murdaugh because he was obviously guilty, not because three jurors heard Becky Hills foolish and fleeting comments about his upcoming testimony, the prosecutors wrote. For now, at least, Alex Murdaughs murder convictions remain intact. Considering that, and the many other crimes he was found guilty of, its likely that hell spend the rest of his life behind bars.After reading about the crimes of Alex Murdaugh, learn about Robert Durst, the real estate heir linked to three murders. Then, go inside the controversial history of the Astor family, one of Americas most prominent dynasties.The post How Alex Murdaugh Went From Prominent South Carolina Lawyer To Double Murderer appeared first on All That's Interesting.

While FromSoftware's Soulslike games, such as Elden Ring and Dark Souls, come with one standard difficulty, the Ninja Gaiden franchise takes a different approach.

One of the best parts about any Ninja Gaiden game is getting to experiment with all of the available weapons.

Every time I sit down to write my Ninja Gaiden 4 review, something funny happens: I find myself playing the game for an hour or so instead.

You might not be aware that there's an updated version of this popular appliance, but HGTV stars Drew and Jonathan Scott recommend it for more counter space.

These delicious Southern Pecan Cookies are perfect for any occasion. We especially love them during the holiday season. WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE These cookies have such a wonderful flavor and they are easy to make. The sour cream really gives them a soft center and the pecans are perfect. We love to make these...

Dog chew toy safety affects every pet owner who wants to keep their furry friend healthy and happy. The wrong toy can lead to choking, intestinal blockages, or broken teeth.We at DogingtonPost know that choosing the right chew toy requires understanding your dogs specific needs and chewing habits. This guide will help you make informed decisions that protect your pet while satisfying their natural urge to chew.Understanding Dog Chew Toy HazardsDog chew toys create serious health risks when manufacturers use wrong materials or pet owners select inappropriate options. The FDA received multiple reports of illnesses linked to Chinese-made chicken jerky treats, which demonstrates how production location affects pet safety directly. Plastic bones like nylabones damage teeth because manufacturers make them too hard, while real bones, marrow bones, antlers, and hooves cause dental fractures that require expensive veterinary treatment.Toxic Materials Hide in Plain SightPVC and phthalate-based toys release harmful chemicals when dogs chew them repeatedly. BPA in plastic toys disrupts your dogs endocrine system over extended periods. Lead paint from unregulated manufacturers causes neurological damage, while formaldehyde triggers skin irritation and respiratory problems. Chromium and cadmium in certain plastics create joint and organ complications that develop slowly but cause lasting harm.Size Creates Life-Threatening SituationsChew toys must match your dogs weight and mouth dimensions precisely. Tennis balls become choking hazards for large breeds, while oversized toys strain jaw muscles in smaller dogs. Rawhide pieces block gastrointestinal passages (particularly dangerous for dogs under 25 pounds). The Veterinary Oral Health Council maintains approved product lists, but even approved items become hazardous when dogs consume chunks larger than their throat diameter.Aggressive Chewers Face Higher RisksPower chewers break off dangerous fragments within minutes of contact with new toys. These dogs require constant supervision during the first 15 minutes with any chew item. Rope toys fray quickly under aggressive chewing, which creates choking hazards and intestinal blockages when dogs swallow loose fibers.Red Flags That Demand ActionReplace chew toys immediately when they show blood stains, missing chunks, or sharp edges. Toys that no longer bend under fingernail pressure have hardened beyond safe limits and will crack teeth. Squeakers exposed after fabric tears become deadly if swallowed. Dogs who drool excessively, paw at their mouth, or refuse food after chewing sessions may have injured themselves or swallowed dangerous pieces.Smart toy selection starts with understanding these hazards, but choosing the right option for your specific dog requires additional considerations.Choosing Safe Chew Toys for Different DogsDog size determines chew toy safety more than any other factor. A toy that works for a 15-pound Beagle will kill a 70-pound German Shepherd through choking. The American Kennel Club recommends toys that cannot fit entirely in your dogs mouth. Test this by placing the toy against your dogs muzzle if it disappears completely behind their lips, choose a larger option immediately.Size Matching Prevents Fatal AccidentsSmall dogs face different risks than large breeds when owners select inappropriate toy sizes. Toys too large for small dogs strain jaw muscles and cause dental misalignment over time. Conversely, undersized toys create immediate choking hazards for larger breeds. Measure your dogs mouth width and select toys that exceed this dimension by at least 50%. This simple calculation prevents most size-related emergencies.Hardness Tests Reveal Safe OptionsPress your fingernail into any chew toy before purchase. Safe toys create a visible dent under fingernail pressure, while dangerous ones remain unmarked. The Nylabone Extreme Tough Dog Chew Toy passed durability tests with dogs above 23 kg, but softer alternatives work better for moderate chewers. Veterinarians report that dental fractures come from toys harder than natural bone (making the fingernail test essential for prevention).Material Selection Matches Chew IntensityHeavy chewers need nylon or heavy-duty rubber exclusively. These dogs destroy rope toys within hours and create choking hazards from fabric fragments. Light chewers can safely use compressed edible chews and softer rubber options. Kong rubber toys bend appropriately and receive veterinary approval because they flex under pressure while maintaining structural integrity.Age-Specific Requirements Protect Developing TeethPuppies under six months require softer materials because their teeth are still developing. Senior dogs over eight years need gentler options due to weakened dental structures. The Veterinary Oral Health Council approves C.E.T. VeggieDent and Greenies for dental benefits, but only when matched to appropriate chew strength. Never give antlers, hooves, or bones to any dog regardless of size these materials cause expensive dental fractures that require surgical repair.Even perfect toy selection means nothing without proper supervision and maintenance protocols that keep your pet safe during every chew session.Monitoring and Maintaining Chew Toy SafetyDaily inspections prevent emergencies that cost thousands in veterinary bills. Set a specific time each morning to examine every chew toy your dog accessed within the previous 24 hours. Check for blood stains, which indicate dental damage or gum injuries that require immediate veterinary attention. Look for chunks that went missing and could lodge in your dogs digestive system. Sharp edges form when hard toys crack under pressure and will slice your pets mouth during future sessions. Press your fingernail into each toy surface toys that no longer create visible dents have hardened beyond safe limits and you must discard them immediately.Replace Toys Before They Turn DeadlyVeterinary emergency clinics report that most chew toy injuries happen with toys owners kept too long. Replace any toy that shows wear after 10 to 15 minutes of aggressive chewing. Rope toys require replacement when individual strands begin to separate (typically after three to five sessions for power chewers). Squeaky toys become hazardous the moment fabric tears expose internal components. Kong toys need replacement when rubber surfaces develop cracks or permanent teeth marks that collect bacteria. Intestinal blockages from swallowed toy fragments create life-threatening emergencies that require surgery within 6-12 hours.Storage Prevents Bacterial GrowthStore chew toys in dry containers that prevent moisture accumulation and bacterial growth. Wash rubber and nylon toys weekly with hot water and antibacterial soap to eliminate salmonella and E. coli contamination. Separate chew toys from food bowls during storage to prevent cross-contamination. Rotate available toys every three days to maintain interest while you allow thorough cleaning of unused items (never store damp toys in enclosed spaces where mold develops rapidly).Watch for Warning Signs During PlayMonitor your dog continuously during the first 15 minutes with any new chew toy. Dogs who drool excessively, paw at their mouth, or refuse food after sessions may have injured themselves or swallowed dangerous pieces. Remove toys immediately if your dog attempts to swallow large chunks or shows signs of distress. Separate multiple dogs during chew time to prevent competition that leads to rapid consumption and potential fights over toys.Final ThoughtsDog chew toy safety demands consistent attention and smart choices from every pet owner. The fingernail test provides your most reliable method for checking toy hardness, while daily inspections stop dangerous situations before they develop. You must match toy size to your dogs mouth dimensions, avoid materials like PVC and BPA-containing plastics, and replace worn items when they show blood, missing chunks, or sharp edges.Safe chew sessions require you to supervise new toys for 15 minutes, store items in dry containers, and separate multiple dogs during play time. You should limit sessions to prevent overexertion and wash toys weekly to eliminate harmful bacteria. Power chewers need nylon or heavy-duty rubber exclusively, while gentler options work for light chewers and senior dogs (especially those over eight years old).Smart long-term habits start when you understand your dogs specific chew patterns and select appropriate materials accordingly. You can rotate toys every three days to maintain interest while you allow thorough cleaning. We at DogingtonPost help you make informed pet care decisions that protect your dogs health and happiness throughout their life.

Judge Ted Berry, a municipal judge for Hamilton County, is closer to being removed from the bench for social media posts celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk, thanks to a resolution filed by state representatives.

A day before the "No Kings" rallies across the nation, a small group of disaffected current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees, administrators and directors organized to protest