That...

[piggy386]

Archaeologists have discovered, over five thousand years ago, that Mesopotamian cooks were preparing chicken with coriander and tamarind, just as Egyptian cooks are still doing today.

Archaeologists have discovered that, over five thousand years ago, Mesopotamian cooks were preparing chicken with coriander and tamarind, just as Egyptian cooks are still doing today.

Does the function of "that" change in the second sentence? Please advise. Thanks.

[Temico]

1. The first sentence implies that there were archaeologists over five thousand years ago. (Can that be true?)
2. The second sentence is correct but can still be ambiguous.
The correct way to write the sentence is:-
"Archaeologists have discovered that Mesopotamian cooks, over five thousand years ago, were preparing chicken with coriander and tamarind, just as Egyptian cooks are still doing today."

[piggy386]

1. The first sentence implies that there were archaeologists over five thousand years ago. (Can that be true?)
2. The second sentence is correct but can still be ambiguous.
The correct way to write the sentence is:-
"Archaeologists have discovered that Mesopotamian cooks, over five thousand years ago, were preparing chicken with coriander and tamarind, just as Egyptian cooks are still doing today."

Your prompt reply was greatly apprecitated.