At https://phys.org/news/2025-09-evidence-cosmic-impact-classic-clovis.html … it seems the Younger Dryas impact story is still getting published. Evidence is continuously sought in order to counter the establishment dislike of catastrophism. Did a fragmenting comet cause the disappearance of mammoths and mastodons and other megafauna, at the Younger Dryas boundary?
One part of the theory involves the apparent disappearance of the Clovis culture. Shocked quartz in grains of sand that can only be seen in microscopes is presented as part of the evidence. No wonder that it has been, historically, overlooked. These grains of sand have been deformed by an extreme heat event, as well as unknown pressure from above, with suddenly escalating temperatures. All this is associated with three archaeological sites where Clovis was demonstrably brought to an end, suddenly. These sites are in Arizona, New Mexico, and California. James Kennet envisages a scenario where fragments of a comet disintegrated in the atmosphere. This created shock waves and extreme heat as a result of blast. Somewhat similar to a nuclear bomb. It resulted in widespread burning events – unusually severe landscape fires.
At https://phys.org/news/2025-09-evidence-distinct-australian-tektite-groups.html … evidence is presented, from Australia, of three separate tektite fields. There are regions where natural glass, tektites, were strewn around in connection with an impact from a space rock.
At https://phys.org/news/2025-09-ancient-sogdian-mural-depicts-unique.html …. a mural found on a wall in Tajikistan shows a procession of priests walking towards a stationary altar. The altar is depicted with a fire – flames rising from the dish like top. It was being used to burn offerings. In other words – fire worship as practised by Zoroastrians. Long known as rife in central Asia. It was taken by the Persians into what is now Iran, and modified. Does this have any connection with meteors exploding in the lower atmosphere and generating great heat and igniting landscape fires?
The Sogdian palace belonged to a settlement dating to the 5th century AD – or a bit later. It developed into an urban centre under the rule of the Ummayads. Various finds indicate trade connections, including Chinese products. This is not a surprise as the Sogdians of Uzbekhistan and Tajikistan were closedy involved in the Silk Road trade routes. The palace was destroyed in late 8th cntury AD. See also https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10180 …