Three scientists\u2014Papaia, Banani, Ravioli\u2014and their assistant Igor, who are supposed to attend the famous dark matter conference, take the wrong flight and end up on the other side of the world. After arriving at the wrong airport, they book a hotel to spend the night, but it\u2019s not exactly what they expected\u2026 in the sense that it\u2019s awful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re on the hotel stairs, where the four are making their way up, talking about the book Banani found on the plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: First of all, we need to understand the difference between a criminal investigation and a historical investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: What\u2019s the difference?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: In a criminal case, investigators can question witnesses and analyze recently collected evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: Whereas with ancient history, we no longer have any living witnesses!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Exactly! The only evidence we have left is ancient texts and archaeological artifacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: So it\u2019s more complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Yes, but the author of this study draws an interesting comparison with his field: cold cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: And what exactly are cold cases?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: They\u2019re unsolved cases that have been shelved. Some crimes have a statute of limitations, meaning after a certain time, the culprit can\u2019t be prosecuted anymore. But murders don\u2019t\u2014there\u2019s no time limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: So a murderer can be arrested even decades after the crime?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Exactly! That\u2019s why there are specialized detectives who keep studying the evidence even years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: Oh, I\u2019ve seen a crime series about these cases!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor: Oh yeah? And I bet you saw yourself as the detective\u2026 or the suspect who leaves clues everywhere without realizing it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n