Amy Harmon of the NY Times tells us in this story that DNA research has added a whole new dimension to the study of genealogy, something I’ve talked about here before. Harmon tells us that this has bred a whole new group of people so obsessed with obtaining DNA confirmation of their research that they …
Etruscan Emigration?
Nicholas Wade of the NY Times brings us another fine effort in the DNA/archaeology beat that he works so well (please read his book Before the Dawn!) with a report of studies that indicate the classical Etruscan civilization of northern Italy originated with a group migration from the Near East. This seems to confirm a …
Archaeology of the Exodus
The day after Passover the NY Times has a piece discussing the lack of archaeological evidence for the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The report focuses on the archaeology of an Egyptian border fort in the Sinai that dates to the right time period. As the article points out, I’m not surprised that there is no …
Panorama
The Peculiars were down last week and Mr. P. took this splendid panorama of our home town nestled beneath its foothills. The higher peaks of the Magdalena Range are obscured behind clouds to the upper left.
Ornate Guns
The Islamic world has always been prone to decorating firearms in an ornate fashion. Most examples I have seen have been Afghan and Arab “Jezail”- type muzzleloaders. Recently frequent reader and commenter “Johnny UK” was in Morocco where he photographed a modern example at the mausoleum of Mohammed V , the founder of modern-day Morocco. …
Catching Up
Like Matt, I should soon have good news (though mine should continue to let me blog freely). I have been dealing with that and also Libby’s taking over the local Post Office so it has been a bit hectic here. Let me do a quick blogging news roundup and post some pics– with more to …
Matt in the Weeds
I work for a large public University in the American South. It’s easy to learn which, considering I’ve been there ten years, serving most of them as a Web administrator. It’s too hard to hide on the Internet… I’ll have a new job on campus, effective early next month. It’s in large part a press …
Ataika’s Career
Steve, why didn’t you tell us that Ataika was moonlighting as a supermodel? Did you have to pay to get headshots for her portfolio? I certainly hope she’s working for more than just kibble!
Minor miracle
Lest we forget why animals are more amazing than you and me, in general, and why we love to have them around: Witness Kato, my cat since 1986, killer of squirrels, rabbits and birds a plenty; the world’s only (known to me) hawking cat, who followed the hawk and me on numerous hunts in my …
Tenacious
I saw this small “chimney” of uneroded soil in the middle of a small arroyo east of the house yesterday. Closer examination showed that a matt of prickly pear had anchored the soil in place while everything else around it eroded away. Looking at the size of the arroyo and the stability of the vegetation …