Digging up the past

On Friday I came across a great article on the dig going on in the Nazi death camp Sobibor. (You can read the article here: http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-archaeologist-digs-nazi-death-camp-184106960.html.) During my last semester in college I had to pick a 400 level tier three course in order to graduate. The kicker was that it had to be outside of my major. So being a history buff and not wanting to stray too far from Anthropology, I chose to take a class on Hitler and Nazi Germany. This is not a topic I had ever studied before. In fact, all I knew was about the extent my high school history class had taught me. Hitler was an evil man from WWII and had sought to eliminate the Jews by mass killings during the Holocaust. That was my knowledge in a nut shell. After taking this course however, my eyes were seriously opened to the atrocities that played out in Germany and other countries Hitler invaded. I now find myself obsessed with learning as much as possible about this time and jump at any opportunity to read up on it. That is one of the reasons I first chose this article, archeology was the second. I worry that, as time goes on, people may begin to forget what happened. The Holocaust and everything that Hitler did, should NEVER be forgotten. I once heard a quote (I have no idea who said it) that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I firmly believe this. We must remember all of the bad that has happened to us as a species. It is a lot of baggage to take on but it is knowledge worth having. Otherwise, we slip into a happy existence where we are blind to what dangers may be coming. The fact that we still have people who are willing to go out and dig for answers, to keep the world public aware of the past, is encouraging. Every once in a while I come across something that I think should be required for people to learn in school. The depth of knowledge I learned in this one course should be delved into during the high school years. Why leave such important information to an optional college course? But then again, I must remember that not everyone enjoys the things I find to be interesting. Sigh*

In other news, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" was in the news today!! Woo Hoo!! I miss this guy...and admit it...the second you read his name you heard the song playing in your head (Bill Nye the science guy, bill, bill, bill...) Yes, I'm a nerd. Get over it. I even have my kids watch his shows which awesomely enough...our local library has available on video. Anyways...I digress.... So Mr. Nye apparently has a video up on youtube about evolution and how ignoring it or saying it didnt happen prevents us from moving forward scientifically. I haven't watched the video but the link to the article is: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/bill-nye-science-guy-hits-evolution-deniers-123047918--abc-news-tech.html. I say, read the article, find the video, watch it and then decide for yourself. I think I am inclined to agree. There would just be far too many gaps in science without the theory of evolution. What do you think?

Neanderthals and Humans...I dont think so!

Woo Hoo!!! Thank you Cambridge University for your study on the link between human DNA and Neanderthal DNA. I was a little shocked, appalled and astounded when researchers came out saying that it appears as though humans and Neanderthals did interbreed after all. Talk about AT LEAST two semesters worth of college lectures thrown out the window. But now it appears as though more pieces of the massive jigsaw puzzle are falling into place. Trending on MSN today is a small piece about how Cambridge University researchers believe that the DNA humans and Neanderthals share "probably resulted from an ancestor we had in common 500,000 years ago." Now I don't wanna just jump up and say "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" but its a pretty big no brainer. Here's what I think about this whole thing, based on pure common sense:

First off, it was very presumptuous of the researchers to come out and say "yes we interbred" without looking at the larger picture. I get that we probably share quite a few genetic markers that are very similar to Neanderthals.After all, we came from a common ancestor, the Homo Heidelbergensis. For whatever reason, we developed into the species that we are today and the Neanderthals developed into what they became. (The same also goes for the species Homo Erectus, who also came from the Homo Heidelbergensis split). Whether it was our brains, brawn's or sheer luck, we survived and thrived. But the same is also probably true of humans and other ape species.Lets also not forget the fact that DNA is extremely complex and as much as science would like to have it all figured out they don't. Even within our own species there is slight genetic variation. Granted, it doesn't lead to an entirely different species but it does make for some very interesting differences among humans.

I think that there are two lessons to be learned from this. First off, never jump the gun. Sure we share DNA with Neanderthals, but what does that really mean? Not long ago it was accepted knowledge that we shared 98% of our DNA with Chimps, but even that school of thought is changing. Secondly, this is a great time to point out that we don't and will probably never know everything there is to know about human evolution. There are just far too many gaps in the puzzle to figure out with little to no evidence to do so. However, it does make for some very interesting reading material so...play on science...play on.

Wanna read the article yourself? Here's the link...
http://now.msn.com/sex-between-humans-and-neanderthals-not-common-study-finds

Yay for being done!!!

Drum roll please...we have finally, officially moved everything from one house to another. Now all I have to do is unpack...(booooo!) I've got a five year plan for this move which includes paying off debt and saving enough money for my family and I to finally, FINALLY be able to buy our own home!!! Can't wait!

In other news...I have been seeing multiple articles out and about lately concerning cool things being found in South America. Gotta love archeology right?! They seem to be the only branch of Anthropology that gets major news coverage. Could have something to do with all the neat stuff they find. I think the following article is worth a read.

http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=56841#.UBmf3YFX6uI

Also, just had to share this article out of Virginia City...

http://www.kolotv.com/news/headlines/UNR-Anthropology-Students-Dig-Virginia-CIty--163953836.html?ref=836

Hands down, coolest thing ever! I have never been to Virginia City but it has become one of my favorite places just because of its history. Yeah...I know...digging here is pulling forth information from the historic period, a time we already know a lot about. I have had a number of anthropology professors in the past gripe about wasting time digging historic sites and placing emphasis on ancient sites. Get over it...its all history and its all awesome. Not to mention, Virginia City is reportedly haunted and although I am completely skeptical of the whole ghost thing, I don't discount the possibility that ghosts could exist. If they did, Virginia City would be their Vegas.

With all the moving out of the way, I can hopefully get back into the swing of blogging and such. I am going to start a video blog too which is gonna rock. Mainly because its going to be about baking and it will give me an excuse to back all kinds of yummy goodness. Soooo...if you want a little dish on something other than Anthropology you could check that out too. Ill post a link when its up and running.