Making sense of rongorongo
Article Abstract:
Easter Island in the South Pacific is home to the unique rongorongo, one of the few undeciphered scripts in the world. The script is composed of parallel lines of characters, such as bird symbols and hooks, that were engraved on wooden tablets. The script looks like a tightly-packed group of hieroglyphics. Rongorongo was first reported by a missionary in 1864 and was believed to have been spurred by the 1770 visit of the Spanish. Scattered around the world's museum are 25 pieces of wood on which the script are engraved. Their content has remained shrouded in mystery.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Iceman in the cold light of day
Article Abstract:
European scientists have bungled research concerning the mummified body of a Neolithic man that was discovered in the Tyrolean Alps near the Austrian-Italian border on Sep 19, 1991. The frozen corpse, now known as 'iceman,' 'Similaun man' and 'Oetzi,' and associated artefacts were found partly embedded in glacial ice at the 3,200 meter level. Afterwards found to be from 5,100 to 5,300 years old, the remarkable find attracted great attention. Unfortunately, the find will be of little value unless the carelessness that has marked the inquiry into it is improved.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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50,000-year-old Americans of Pedra Furada
Article Abstract:
Evidence for human occupation of North America dating back to at least 50,000 years has been found in the rockshelter of Pedra Furada, Brazil. In addition to the erosional, geomorphological and sedimentary study conducted on the site and its surroundings, an investigation into the human and natural agencies of the lithic objects was undertaken. The findings indicate that the stratigraphy is not natural, supporting the involvement of human agency in the structures.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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