A well-preserved Ancient Roman wooden water pipe was recently uncovered in an unexpected place: the marshlands of Belgium. The discovery was announced by the city of Leuven, a city east of Brussels in Flanders, on May 7. The pipe was uncovered during an excavation on Brusselsestraat, a street that runs through the central part of the city, in order to make room for student housing. Pictures show the proud archaeological crew beaming next to the ancient pipe which, at first glance, looks like a log. But ancient wood-workers cut a cylindrical hole through the wood to give it the function of a pipe. The pipe dates back to the second and third centuries A.D. The city said that, at the time, Leuven "was a tiny spot in the vast Roman Empire, which stretched from Great Britain to Egypt and from Gibraltar to the Caspian Sea." "In our region, Leuven likely served as a 'diverticulum,' a settlement of several houses and farms at a crossroads, near a Roman road connecting the major axis between Cologne and Boulogne," the press release also said, which was translated from Dutch to English. "The exceptional preservation of the wood makes it a unique find that contributes to the understanding of Roman presence in Leuven." Dirk Vansina, a city alderman for real estate heritage, emphasized that the discovery is highly unusual in Flanders. "At numerous locations, including in Tienen, indications of what was once a Roman wooden water pipe have been excavated before," the city official said. "But never the water pipe itself, as the wooden logs used by the Romans had rotted away over time." Vasina added that wood rot occurs when a place's groundwater level varies between wet and dry – and luckily for the wooden pipe, the groundwater levels have been stable throughout time. "It is the Dijle [River] that ensured the wooden water pipe remained exceptionally well-preserved over the centuries," the expert said. "Due to the proximity of the Dijle, the ground here was always marshy, and the passage of time has been very gentle on this water pipe." The pipe will be transferred to a conservation studio where it will continue to be studied. Once a sample is taken to determine its age, it will be freeze-dried for preservation purposes and possibly displayed in the future. Archaeologists also came across other discoveries during the excavation, such as ancient pottery shards, but the city emphasized that the water pipe "is of a different caliber." "The size of Leuven in Roman times was limited, but finds like this prove that the Roman presence was certainly not incidental and that it is worthwhile to continue digging and gradually uncover this past," Vasina said.

Memorial Day weekend, which kicks off the summer, is set to break a new travel record this year. A massive 45.1 million Americans are set to travel at least 50 miles from their home during the long weekend, AAA announced. Of the millions of Americans traveling, AAA predicts 3.61 million will be flying to their destinations. That's a 2% increase from last year. "While this Memorial Day weekend isn’t expected to set an air travel record (that was set back in 2005 with 3.64 million travelers), this year’s numbers are projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 12%," states the AAA press release. Travelers should arrive a minimum of two hours before their scheduled domestic flights and three hours before scheduled international flights, the TSA advised. The AAA release said the most popular destinations are Chicago, Seattle, Orlando, Denver and New York. Those visiting the New York area may want to rethink what airport they are flying into amid recent air disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instituted yet another ground delay at EWR on Monday, just one day after the previous delay, with flyers' frustrations growing. Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital that passengers should avoid New York airports for connecting flights. "If you're connecting, it's often a good idea to avoid New York airports. If you originate in New York, it really depends on where in the city you're based," he said. Brandon Blewett, the Texas-based author of "How to Avoid Strangers on Airplanes," told Fox News Digital that travelers going to and from New York City should look at other airports. "I’d consider alternatives to EWR like LGA and JFK until the runway reopens and ATC staffing stabilizes," said Blewett. "It may be more of a headache in traffic, but it seems you’re less likely to be stranded for the time being." On May 7, the REAL ID requirement took effect, requiring flyers to obtain the new identification with a star in the upper right corner in order to fly. Flyers have expressed worries about possible delays during the security process if they, or fellow travelers, are unable to present the proper identification. Those who do not have a compliant ID may receive additional screening, which would take more time. A TSA spokesperson told Fox News Digital the agency continues to urge passengers to get REAL IDs or bring other acceptable forms of ID for travel. "Summer travel is upon us, and there is still time to get a REAL ID," said the spokesperson. "Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area, and may receive additional screening," the spokesperson added.

Scientists with the Field Museum of Chicago have discovered that a pigeon-sized Archaeopteryx fossil in its collection displays an array of features previously unknown when it comes to the earliest known birds, particularly a bird’s feathers, hands, feet and head. Reuters reported that the fossil is one of the best preserved and most complete of the 14 known fossils of the specimens identified since 1861. The first Archaeopteryx fossil, which showed reptile and bird-like features, supported Charles Darwin’s ideas on evolution and showed that birds evolved from dinosaurs. The new study was able to make out soft tissues in the Chicago fossil using UV light, while CT scans allowed scientists to see details still embedded in the rock. The study showed that 164 years after the first Archaeopteryx fossil was discovered, there is more to learn about the creature that took flight during the Jurassic period 150 million years ago. The anatomical traits showed that while Archaeopteryx was able to fly, it likely spent more time on the ground and may have been able to climb trees. Scientists noted that the fossil showed the presence of specialized feathers called tertials on both wings. The tertials are attached to the humerus bone in the upper arm and are also the innermost flight feathers, the scientist explained. Small-feathered dinosaurs, though, lacked tertials. Researchers said the discovery of the inner flight wings found in many birds today suggests the tertials evolved specifically for flight. "To generate lift, the aerodynamic surface must be continuous with the body," Field Museum paleontologist Jingmai O'Connor said. "So, in order for flight using feathered wings to evolve, dinosaurs had to fill this gap, as we see in Archaeopteryx. "Although we have studied Archaeopteryx for over 160 years, so much basic information is still controversial. Is it a bird? Could it fly? The presence of tertials supports the interpretation that the answer to both these questions is 'yes,'" O'Connor added. When the fossil was unearthed, it was preserved three-dimensionally as opposed to being flat like many fossils. Scientists were able to prepare soft tissue remains while also protecting them, and when hit with ultraviolet light, the tissue glowed. The species also shows soft tissue on its hands, suggesting the first and third fingers were mobile and could be used for climbing. The soft tissue on its toe pads led scientists to believe the Archaeopteryx spent a lot of its life on the ground and had limited flight capability. Another feature scientists found was the palate, or roof of the mouth, confirming that the Archaeopteryx’s skull was immobile, unlike many living birds. But there is evidence of the first stages in the evolution of a trait that allows the beak to move independently of the braincase, as seen in modern birds. The Chicago fossil possesses the only vertebral column of an Archaeopteryx, which includes two tiny vertebrae at the tip of the tail, showing there were a total of 24 vertebrae, one more than previously thought. The museum acquired the fossil last year and said it had been in the hands of a series of private collectors since being discovered sometime before 1990. "This specimen is arguably the best Archaeopteryx ever found, and we're learning a ton of new things from it," O'Connor said. In March 2018, researchers suggested Archaeopteryx could probably fly, but in a different way from modern-day birds, in rapid, short bursts over short distances. Archaeopteryx possessed feathers, like a modern bird. However, it also possessed a "long, stiff, frond-feathered tail" and teeth, along with bones in its hands, shoulders and pelvis that were not fused. Of the 12 fossils of Archaeopteryx that have been found, the first was discovered in the late 19th century by famed German paleontologist Hermann von Meyer. The most recent was discovered by an amateur collector in 2010, announced in February 2014 and described scientifically in 2018. Reuters contributed to this report.