Archive for August, 2006
Egyptian Chariots – Part 2 of 2
It is the post-Hyksos era of the New Kingdom that begins to see chariot used on a grand scale, however. Chariots were used in large numbers at Megiddo by Thutmose III, possibly as the first chariotry division which employed archers in a mobile fashion (Brewer & Teeter 1999). Drews (1993) indicated that the Battle [...]
Homo floresiensis Update: Not a Hobbit?
"LB1 is not a normal member of a new species, but an abnormal member of our own," or so concludes Dr. Robert B. Eckhardt, professor of developmental genetics and evolutionary morphology, department of kinesiology, Penn State.
I’ve previously posted about Homo floresiensis (a.k.a. the Hobbit): New Species or Modern Human? and Stone Tools of [...]
The Egyptian Chariot: Part 1
Chariot Photo by stinkerbell1
Chariots are frequent subjects of Egyptian art and are nearly always depicted as an instrument of war or hunting with the Pharaoh in a grand pose about to lay waste to an enemy or slay a wild beast (fig. 1). Among the many representations of chariots in Egyptian art, are those found [...]
Howler Monkeys Part 4: References and Cited Works
I hope if you read this far in this four part series, that you enjoyed reading about one of the most enigmatic New World monkeys. Below is the list of works cited in the previous three parts, but I’m also going to include a few sources that are Internet accessible for those without quick access [...]
Howler Monkeys Part 3: Vocalizations
Howler Photo by JeanKearn
Perhaps the most familiar characteristic of the howler monkey are their vocalizations for which they are named. Howlers, both male and female, use their loud, lion-like roars (Fleagle 1999 p150) to advertise their presence and to warn or intimidate intruders (Kitchen 2004). Vocalizations may also provide auditory cues that reveal fighting ability [...]
Howler Monkeys Part 2: Dietary Needs and Habits
Howler Photo by princessangel
Milton’s Study on and Island in the Panama Canal
Milton studied two groups of mantled howlers on Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal (1980) and discovered that while howlers don’t have to pursue their foods, neither can they use a “sit and wait” strategy. Their preference for seasonal foods presents [...]
Howler Monkeys Part 1: General Characteristics
Afarensis has been doing his weekly “Know Your Primate” series, so I hope he won’t mind if I toss in my bit on the howler monkey. It was his series that inspired me and reminded me that I had this from a paper I wrote a while back. I’ll post this in two, maybe three, [...]
ArtiFACTS: Recent News in Archaeology 8/15/06
Artifact Thieves in Russia This story of looting cultural resources is a real drama, too! The thieves of over 221 items from the St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum in Russia turned out to be the husband and son of the Museum’s curator. The curator apparently suffered a heart attack as the museum stores were being [...]
Skepticism: Skeptical Inquirer Articles in Google News
An interesting thing occurred yesterday. I get several Google News updates in my email each day for specific search terms like "archaeologists" and "pseudoscience." On the 7th and 8th, I received a Google News alert for 3 or 4 back issue articles. One of them was " Traditional Medicine and Pseudoscience in China: a Report [...]
The Book Meme: a Common Ancestor
A few days back, Afarensis tagged me with the Book Meme that started with Ben Meyers at Faith and Theology. In turn, I tagged Coturnix, Salto Sobrius, Unintelligent Design, Amused Muse, and Defending Science. The last two didn’t pick up on my meme, though. I read at Amused Muse but have never posted [...]
