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The Best of Our Knowledge

The Best Of Our Knowledge

Prehistoric math and protecting biomedical research

By Lucas Willard

Published February 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST

Nax Mallowan excavation at Arpachiyah, Iraq. From the collections of the British Museum and UCL.

The Best of Our Knowledge explores topics on learning, education, and research.

An analysis of pottery fragments from ancient Mesopotamia has revealed what may demonstrate a mathematical system developed before numbers.

And in the absence of federal funding, a proposal hopes to create a new hub for medical research.

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The Best Of Our Knowledge Federal Funding science research math pottery

Lucas Willard

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.

See stories by Lucas Willard

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