Mr. O'D's AP World History blog

Ellis Island

2010-12-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

Ellis Island was once the symbol of everything a new immigrant to America dreamed. When it was in operation, millions of people went through its gates and into New York City. Such luminaries as the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov and the Trapp Family Singers (of The Sound of Music fame) entered the new land here.
In 1954, Ellis Island processed its last immigrant. Since then the island was abandoned, and the buildings became largely derelict. That changed in 1990, however, when a $150 million dollar project was completed, and the center became a museum of American immigration. Ever since then, it has been open to visitors (including myself). However, it has yet to generate enough money to keep organizations such as Save Ellis Island alive.
It began to seem unlikely that the restoration of the buildings on Ellis Island could continue. Then, American Express stepped in. They contributed $100,000 to Save Ellis Island, which was "on the brink of extinction", as the New Yew York times puts it. The donation was inspired by another New York Times article describing the poor state of the organization.
Now, Save Ellis Island has been revived, and it can continue making Ellis Island a great spot for anyone interested in a key part of all world history: The migration of people.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/american-express-gives-100000-to-ellis-island-group/?ref=todayspaper
by Rahul V., Period 8

The Shortest War in History

2010-12-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

War, as people understand it, is something that doesn’t merely end in a blink of an eye. Rather, it’s usually a long and drawn out process – a process that takes months to years to come to a finale. But the shortest war in history, the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, was precisely the former: a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of world history. This war, fought between the United Kingdom and the East African state of Zanzibar, lasted a mere approximate forty minutes from the Britain navy’s initial invasion.
The cause of the war came when the British-supporting ruler Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, resulting in succession of the throne of Sultan Khalid bin Barghash – who was not a staunch British supporter. When the United Kingdom’s demand of a new pro-British ruler was not carried out, they declared war on Zanzibar on August 27. At 9:02, the British navy started their bombardment on the palace and its forces. The palace consequently caught on fire, disabling the artillery and crippling their movement. Some 1,000 pro- British Zanzibar citizens raided the palace and the flag was shot down. A cease fire took place at 9:40.
About 500 of the sultan’s forces were suffered casualties while only one lone British sailor was injured. Britain’s victory marked the beginning of direct British control over Zanzibar. Still, in light of all the wars that took place, the Anglo-Zanzibar War was nothing more than a blip in the grand scheme of things.
by Grace Z., Period 8
http://www.militaryhistory.org/2009/09/the-shortest-war-in-history/

Stabbed, Beheaded, Lost, Found

2010-12-17T22:50:00.000-08:00

Credited with ending the wars between Catholics and Protestants,
French King Henry IV was perhaps one of France’s most popular
monarchs. His popularity, however, would not prevent his assassination
in 1610 by a devoted catholic, Francois Ravaillac, who slashed the
king’s throat when his coach was stuck in traffic. His body was buried
with other kings, but would eventually be dug up by revolutionaries
who chopped off his head and through it in a pit.

For several centuries the head’s location was unknown until it
resurfaced in 1919 and was auctioned off. However, identifying the
head has remained impossible until recently. Using modern day
technology and techniques such as radiocarbon dating and forensic
science, researchers have determined the head is definitely Henry’s.
Using the same techniques it may now be possible to identify the
remainder of the bodies in the basilica of Saint Denis. King Henry’s
head will be returned to the basilica sometime next year.
by Liam S., Period 8

Incas and Aztecs: Are They Really so Similar?

2010-12-17T22:44:00.001-08:00

When we think of the Inca, we think of the similarities between the Aztecs and the Incas when in reality; they were very different. Even if we just look at the foods they produced and ate we can see these differences. The Incas had large domesticated animals: the llama and alpaca, deer, and a guinea pig of sorts. Their main food staple was maize and quinoa. They had many different types of potatoes and greens. Whereas, the Aztecs had no large domesticated animals. They relied on turkey and enjoyed many varieties of fruit. At first, they were cautious of chocolate but soon came to love it and offer it as a drink for the gods. The Aztecs also appreciated insects; some of the ones that they consumed were: ants, grasshoppers, manuey worms, and jumil bugs. With their many differences, such as how the Incas focused on growing crops and the Aztecs concentrated on growing fruits, there were still some similarities. One that stands out the most is, how they both used maize as their main food supply. Although they are often combined in the same category, they are totally different cultures when it comes down to it; this is shown just through the foods they eat.

Christy S.
Period 8
http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodmaya.html

Archeologists unearth very old Chinese food

2010-12-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

New archeological evidence provides insight on the dietary habits of
Chinese over 2500 years ago. Along with other artifacts, ancient Chinese
cuisine was found in a cemetery, perfectly preserved in the desert region
between east and central China. The foods unearthed included noodles,
porridge, oblong and round cakes of various sizes and a sheep’s head.
Researchers chemically analyzed the noodles, porridge and cakes and
concluded that they were created from millet. Millet was probably the staple
crop in Northwest china because of its drought resistance and ability to
prosper in poor soils. The early Chinese where possibly among the worlds
first bakers and noodle makers, possibly even predating Egyptians. This is
interesting because it is rare to see baked goods in Chinese cuisine during
any time period. Also the almost perfectly preserved bodies that the food
was buried with resembled Europeans more than Asians. The bodies had light
colored hair, deep eyes, and protruding noses. Nearby another research group
found noodles, only 4000 years old, that were yellow in color and looked
similar to La-Mian noodles as seen in the picture
above.http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/ancient-chinese-dinner-archaeology.html
Dennis O Period 7

A New Female Pharaoh for Ancient Egypt?

2010-12-16T23:26:00.000-08:00

For some time, Cleopatra VII has been considered the only female pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty. However, one of her lesser known ancestors, Queen Arsinoë II may have also held the title of a female pharaoh approximately 200 years prior to Cleopatra VII’s reign. Maria Nilsson, of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, theorized that Arsinoë could be another female pharaoh. Born to Ptolemy I, Arsinoë married her first husband, then her half brother, and finally her full brother Ptolemy II, with whom she reigned with. She and he shared equal rule of Egypt. Her royalty was determined by her crown, based on the height, position, and pictorial elements. Her existence and reign challenges the assumptions of an almost strictly patriarchal society. When Arsinoë died around the age of 45, she acquired a cult following and her crown was adopted by Cleopatra III and VII, showing that she was a powerful ruler worth modeling after.
by Jen Y., Period 8
http://www.history.com/topics/new-female-pharaoh

Divining Angkor

2010-12-16T22:29:00.000-08:00

Angkor vanished at its height, and no one knew the reasons until recently. The city was extremely religious, and Buddhism eventually took over from Hinduism. But the temples still stand. This complete change switched up the government and changed royal authority. Here is where the stories of how it fell begin. Some say that because of this change the royal court left, others say that the economics of the place failed; still others believe that something might have led to a rebellion. None of these are completely true, but all are contributing factors. The center stage of their down fall was really something that helped them rise though: water. The people of Angkor had waterways, canals, and reservoirs that helped them conserve water during dry seasons. The widely excepted reason for why they fell now is that because of an extremely wet season, or year. It pushed beyond the amount of water the canals could hold and destroyed the carefully planed water system. Scholars went to the canals of Angkor and discovered their secrets, the reason for the fall of something so powerful.
by Sarah O., Period 8

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/07/angkor/stone-text

Murdered French King's Remains Identified

2010-12-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

Recently, a mummified head found in the basilica of Saint Denis was identified as the head of the popular Henry IV. A team of experts had been working diligently, using forensic and anthropological strategies to uncover the mystery behind it. Henry IV, surprisingly enough, was loved by his people, and is credited with ending the wars between the Catholics and the Protestants. Ironically, he was stabbed to death by Catholic fanatic Francois Ravaillac. However, in 1793, his head was chopped off after his tomb was raided by revolutionaries, and was sold on the black market. It resurfaced in 1919, it was constantly being auctioned off for private collections. After performing some radiological tests on it, the dating was found to be from about 1450 and 1650 which matched his lifespan. In addition, a piercing was found on the head, and it is known that Henry IV had his right ear pierced. Molds of the head, old scars, and facial blemishes all match the physical characteristics of Henry IV. In respect for the loved king, a funeral service will be held for him next year, including his head being placed where it rightfully belongs.

by Rylan Y., Period 8

http://news.discovery.com/history/murdered-french-kings-remains-identified.html

Michelangelo's David Holding Secret Weapon?

2010-12-16T22:21:00.000-08:00

Nearly everyone in the world has either heard of the Statue of David or the great Michelangelo, but what people never realized until now was the entire time David has been holding the remnants of a weapon in his right hand. For centuries people have looked at the Statue of David without realizing his right hand ws holding what was left of a staff used for combat. This weapon was used as a staff with a sling attatched to the end in order to throw rocks or other small objects great distances. In the bible it is said that David defeated Goliath with a similar weapon to what Michelangelo gave his statue. The reason why the rest of the staff was never added was because the statue was mounted in front of the Piazza della Signoria. While some people disagree on whether or not the weapon was actually a staff or not, the fact remains that the Statue of David is holding some unknown object in his right hand and it will continue to hold it for as long as the statue stands.
by Danny O., Period 8
http://news.discovery.com/history/michelangelo-david-secret-weapon.html

King Henry IV Finally Found?

2010-12-16T22:18:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday this week, a mummified head has been confirmed to belong to King Henry IV, part of some remains thought to be long gone. However, the whereabouts of the head before this discovery is quite interesting. After being assassinated by a Catholic extremist, King Henry IV was buried along with the rest of England’s past kings. But in 1793, his head was detached from his body and thrown into a pit with numerous other heads by revolutionists. The head was then rediscovered in 1919 where it was auctioned off to private collectors who prized this well preserved head. Analysts report that the body’s organs seem to have been well preserved, which is the reason why the head is still somewhat intact. After a formal funeral ceremony, the head will be re-interred in the royal basilica of Saint-Denis next year.

By Trevor M., Period 8

http://news.discovery.com/history/murdered-french-kings-remains-identified.html

BREAD AND MARMALADE: MEAL OF A BEAST?

2010-12-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

Insider news has just been released from Schuetze Obernigg, a 19-year-old deserter and prisoner of war, about Hitler in his daily life. Obernigg states that his day consisted of a morning starting at 10 a.m., followed by a quaint breakfast of coffee, bread, and marmalade. Guests of Hitler were welcomed in the afternoon. He would then work late, often not finishing until the early morning of the next day. Obernigg’s reports also include that Hitler was a fiery man of paranoia. He ironically did not like the feeling of being watched and was apt to pound and shout during conferences. However, he supposedly also had a mild to personal people. Although viewed a terrible villain, Hitler was still a man; a man who started his mornings with coffee, bread, and marmalade.

Meghan Bates
Period 3

Highest Paid Athlete

2010-12-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

Think that todays athletes are paid ridiculous amounts? Well it is nothing when compared to what charioteer Diocles made 122 A.D. It is estimated that Diocles made 35,863,120 sesterces which is equivalent to about 15 billions U.S. dollars. Diocles figure of money greatly surpasses that of modern day ahtletes such as Tiger Woods, who is known as todays richest athlete. At the the time chariot racers were the heroes of their day. Chariot racing was a very dangerous sport. Death or serious injury to the rider or their horse was not uncommon. Diocles accumalted his large sum money by not having the most victories, but by winning the big money events. It is said that in just 29 races he accumalted 1,450,000 sestercies, which be enough money to go around for a full year in a common Roman city. Diocles toatal earnings of his life could also have provided enough for Rome entire population for a year. Overall, though todays atheletes make ubelivable ammounts of money, they are nothing in comparison to the 15 billion plus dollars that Diocles made chariot racing.

http://news.discovery.com/history/highest-paid-athlete-hailed-from-ancient-rome.html
by Nick A.

Marie Antoinette

2010-12-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

Plastic surgery on a past princess? How is that even possible?
Well, modern techonolgy has brought this "impossible" action to reality. French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has sculpted the French noblewoman's face. He created three busts of her and has tweaked each in three ways- a "French" one, an "American" one, and a "Russian" one. These three styles are based on what is considered beautiful in each country. The French one is the most recognizable, but has smaller lips and cheeks. The American one has had an "eye-lift" and a nose-job. The Russian one is the most changed; its cheekbones are raised immensly and its nose is almost non-existent. Marie Antoinette was an Autrian-born duchess who became the Queen of France during the time of the French revolution. She allegedly said the famous phrase "Let them eat cake", when refering to the poor's lack of food. Today, she is one of the most well-known female figures of her time. She married King Louis XVI, but was greatly disliked by the public. In 1793, she was tried and executed by guillotine for treason. Antoinette is buried at the Basilica of St. Denis in France. Her life is popularized in culture today through movies and books, like the namesake movie Marie Antoinette and the Alexandre Dumas novel Le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge, or the Knight of the Red House.

http://news.discovery.com/history/what-would-marieantoinette-look-like-with-plastic-surgery.html

Low Interest in Egyptian Runoff That Favors Ruling Party

2010-12-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

Runoffs in Egypt’s parliament elections were held on Sunday where a general mood of public disinterest after it became clear from the first round that the ruling party was determined to eliminate any meaningful opposition. This pushed the two main opposition groups in Egypt to boycott Sunday’s runoff elections. According to a government-appointed commissioner following the first round, the Muslim Brotherhood party had 88 seats and had won no seats as along with the Wafd party who had 222 seats had only won 2 seats. For both groups, this served as a clear indication that President Hosni Mubarak’s ruling the National Democratic Party was intent on expunging any voices of opposition or dissent in the oncoming parliament.

By Ryan A.

Period 3

Oldest Preserved Shoe

2010-12-06T21:18:00.001-08:00

The worlds oldest shoe was found in nearly perfect condition in the Vayotz Dzor province.
This shoe was found excavated and found in a pile of sheep dung which had preserved it for
about 5,500 years. The archeologists were outstanding by the condition and the fine details
that they could still see. Such as the individual eyelets, laces, and the straw found inside.
They pondered and hypothesized the possibilities of why there might be a single shoe in a cave.
Was it left on accident? or was it part of a ritual? later on they dig up more evidence that it could
possibly be part of a ritual. They had also dug up three pots, each containing a child's skull, along with
containers of well preserved barley, wheat, apricot and other edible plants. These discoveries could lead
to finding more about how lived and what they believed in.

Jenny Clark Period 3

Vicious Man, Quaint Breakfast

2010-12-06T21:17:00.001-08:00

Tales of a Man named Schuetze Obernigg, an SS Officer that spent time in Adolf Hitler's hideout in the Bavarian Alps, tell that Hitler may have eaten Marmalade for breakfast in his stays; and
to get away from his troubles back home to find a quiet peaceful place to stay. It's sort of funny how a man of such cruelty and evil ate a breakfast of fruit garnish. The more important fact however was that Obernigg showed the British Intelligence that was investigating this situation that Hitler's hideout was a possible location for a last stand of the Nazi extremists. Fortunately that possibility did not occur, and the hideout was never used as a military fortress.

By Eric Kenyon Period 3

http://news.discovery.com/history/hitler-ate-marmalade-at-breakfast.html

2010-12-06T21:15:00.001-08:00

Many theories have been presented on how early peoples managed to get
tons of stone to the site of Stonehenge. The problem is that the
stones could not have just been dragged up as they were, because of
their weight and the friction they create. The most recent theory is
that that wooden ball bearings balls placed in grooved wooden tracks
would have been able to move the massive stone slabs, presented by a
University of Exeter archeology student. But engineer Garry Lavin
believes that wicker baskets could have been used to move the stones.
Because the technology of woven material was all around the early
peoples, why wouldn’t they have used it to accomplish this impossible
feat?

Garry Lavin tested his theory over the summer, and successfully moved
a one-ton stone in a wicker-basket material cage he created. Next, he
plans to build a cage capable of moving a five-ton slab, and will try
it out just in time for the celebration of Stonehenge at the summer
solstice next year.

By Rachael A.

Period 3

Chocolate Supremacy

2010-12-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

In addition to participating in agriculture and trade, the Aztecs were consumers of what today‘s generation knows as chocolate. Formally speaking, this was known as cacao which was cherished and demanded by the civilization. The Aztec’s usage of chocolate was first revealed by a Spaniard chronicler, Bernal del Castillo. His records stated that cacao was a beverage that contained phenyl ethylamine. This is the same chemical released in the human body when experiencing attraction towards another. Therefore, to the Aztecs, chocolate was a key ingredient to attract women. But not only was chocolate a seductive tool, but an important role in traditional rituals and the concept of political power. Plus, because it was in high demand, this treat was used as currency. A greater understanding of chocolate’s history is an essential attribute to it’s religious, political, and economic involvement in the development of ancient societies.

By: Taylor O.

Period: 3

http://www.fieldmuseum.org/chocolate/history_intro.html

Da Vinci's 'Magi' Hides Master's Original Intent

2010-12-06T18:52:00.000-08:00

One of Leanardo Da Vinci's paintings "The Adoration of the Maji" has hidden drawings in it. Leanardo never finished this work because he accepted a project to be the court artist of the Duke of Milan. The picture is of the New Testament's account of the three wise men bestowing adoration to the newborn Jesus and his mother. Otherwise there is no sign of Joesph, the donkey,oxen, a stable, or the shepard. The paint on the piece was not found to be applied by Da Vinci, but it covered up the real masterwork. With the help of infrared technology, the largest collection of drawings of people and animals done by Leonardo in a single work was found. Some of the drawings uncovered from the surface of the painting are scenes like a full blown battle behind Virgin Mary's Head. The ox, donkey, and the missing stable emerge too. A third image to emerge is the face of the young shepard boy. In short, Da vinci may have left many more secrets in his other works for us to discover.

http://news.discovery.com/history/da-vinci-adoration-magi.html
Nathalie C Period 7

Gourd Possibly Containing King Louis XVI's Blood

2010-12-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

A decorated gourd dating back to around 1793 is thought to have carried the blood of Louis XVI, who was beheaded during the French Revolution. On the outside of the gourd, there is the inscription “Maximilien Bourdaloue on January 21st, dipped his handkerchief in the blood of Louis XVI after his beheading” probably made by a flame tool. Although the handkerchief was not found, a dried, brown substance was on the inside of it and through modern technology and testing, scientists were able to confirm it is in fact blood, but they are still testing to see if it is specifically Louis XVI’s. The tests they have run though, point quite prominently towards Louis XVI. Louis XVI was known for his striking blue eyes, and on the gene HERC2, a mutation was found which causes blue eyes. Also, DNA testing has revealed the blood came from a male and has a DNA profile uncommon in most Eurasians, which means it came from someone with “royal” blood. Even though there is evidence pointing towards the blood coming from Louis XVI, scientists cannot conclude for sure that it is his because they have nothing to compare it to. Through more testing, they hope to use the DNA of Louis XVII, his son, and Marie Antoinette, his mother, to conclude with certainty. Even though storing blood and body parts in a decorated gourd seems really odd, it was accepted in the 1700’s after an execution.

Suzie B. Period 3

2010-12-06T17:06:00.001-08:00

Cleopatra, the well known only ruling queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty, has been found to not be the only queen to have ruled during this time period. Her rival, a woman by the name of Queen Arsinoë II. This lesser known queen was first discovered by Maria Nilsson of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden who made this discovery by looking at bas-relief carving of a woman in a extravagant crown. This little queen wasn’t paid much attention to before, but once she was looked into by Nilsson, it was discovered that she led a full life. This queen was married three times before she died at the age of forty-five. During this time, she became a much loved and respected woman who had a unique crown, it was this crown that made it possible to have a Nilsson discover her. The queen’s crown symbolized her three roles in society as a queen, a priestess, and her significance as a goddess. After her death, Arsinoë had a cult who worshipped her and made her the first queen of that time to receive a cult that worshipped her. This great new discovery has led to a challenging of Cleopatra’s seat as the only ruling queen, will she keep her thrown is the question?

http://www.history.com/topics/new-female-pharaoh

A Female Pharaoh Before Cleopatra?

2010-12-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

Brian R. Period 3

http://www.history.com/topics/new-female-pharaoh

Cleopatra May Not Have Been First Female to Pharaoh

2010-12-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

Although Cleopatra has been known as Egypt’s first female pharaoh, it has been discovered that Queen Arsinoë II may have been there 200 years before her. By analyzing the crown she wore, Swedish researchers are starting to question whether all the pharaohs had all really been male. Queen Arsinoë II (316-270 B.C.) was the first female pharaoh belonging to the Ptolemy family. She was the daughter of Ptolemy I who was a Macedonian general who later became the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which is the dynasty Cleopatra belonged to. She was not a regular queen. She had fought in battles and even won events in the Olympics. She was married three times, that last time being to her brother King Ptolemy II. This is when she was given her unique crown. The symbols on the crown showed that she was a queen, high priestess, and the ruler of Lower Egypt. She dies at the age of 45 and was supposedly honored for 200 years after her death. There was even a special shrine built in remembrance of her, Arsinoëion. The original crown was interpreted into many variations, which were later on worn by future queens such as Cleopatra III and Cleopatra VII.
Bailey W. Period 1
http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/queen-arsinoe-egypt-pharaoh.html

Did the Maya Build Chirping Pyramids?

2010-12-05T19:21:00.000-08:00

Since 1998, scientists have been recording chirp-like echoes inside of Mayan pyramids, such as Kukulkan. The scientists have concluded that the chirping is more than a strange coincidence, but an intentional element of the design of the pyramids. Researchers have found that the chirping noise resembles the call of the quetzal, the messenger to the Mayan gods, and believe that whenever one clapped inside of the temple they would be rewarded with this sacred call.

But what exactly makes these large temples like Kukulkan chirp? Researchers have found that Kukulkan had four sets of stairways with 91 stairs each, plus one step at the top, adding up to 365 steps. Scientists think that when a person clapped, the noise bounced off the many stairs present in the temples and declined in frequency, making the chirp-like noise. The Mayans most likely discovered this phenomenon by accident, but after years of improvements, eventually made it a more accurate representation of the quetzal call.

http://www.history.com/topics/maya-pyramid-acoustics

Jessica M Period 7

The Lost Tomb of Jesus

2010-12-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Since the 1970’s hundreds of tombs have been discovered in the Jerusalem area containing ossuaries. One tomb, in particular, was found containing ten ossuaries. Some of the ossuaries had inscriptions with all of the inscriptions pertaining to the Gospel. In a documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus the case is made that “ the 2,000-year-old ‘Tomb of Ten Ossuaries’ belonged to the family of Jesus of Nazareth.” Leading epigraphers all acknowledge the inscriptions and archeologists confirm the truth of the find. A statistical study establishes that the probability is 600 to 1 that these names would wind up all in the same tomb and not be related to Jesus of Nazareth. Also DNA examination on some human residue in one of the ossuaries uncovers new evidence that might show a relationship between Jesus of Nazareth and The Maculate Conception, Mary Magdalene.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tomb/tomb.html

Presley S Period 7

Long Lost Michelangelo Sculpture Found

2010-12-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

It is possible that yet another of the brilliant sculptor Michelangelo’s great works has been found. The sculpture depicts a man kneeling down and sharpening a knife. This sandstone sculpture is known as the Arrotino. The Arrotino is missing a nose and two fingers, causing the suspicion that it may have been a fake because the nose is often removed from fake sculptures to make it appear more authentic and ancient. However, there are features that make it unique. One such feature is the way in which Michelangelo transforms the rough sandstone into soft looking flesh. An account written by Pandolfo Titi while the Arrotino was under construction accurately describes the sculpture as being made from Gonfolina sandstone. It was at one point in time displayed with the Harpy, which is attributed to Tribolo, but people lost interest in the Arrotino . It is very likely that this is yet another original masterpiece of Michelangelo, but he was also known to copy great works. Therefore, this piece deserves to be looked at further and reevaluated. Whether it is a Michelangelo original or merely a copy, it is a beautiful work of art that should be revered and recognized for its acute attention to detail and anatomy.

http://news.discovery.com/history/long-lost-michelangelo-sculpture-found.html

Annie E Period 7

Boy An Icon For Childhoods Lost In Holocaust

2010-12-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

This photo taken during World War II has been seen by millions. In the Warsaw ghetto, there was SS General Jurgen Stroop. He was in charge of evacuating them from this ghetto to the death camps. One may wonder why someone would take a picture such as this one. The General had an administrative officer named Franz Konrad take this photo in order to show Stroop’s control and effective evacuation. In reality, what was promised to take three days ended up taking four weeks. Due to this, a boy, who remains nameless to this very day, was at gun point and photographed. The cruelty of the SS astounds the world and it is almost impossible to see this picture and not feel emotion. That is why to this very day, this boy represents the terrible genocide of Jews, and the devastating loss of a childhood that those who have survived have lived without.

http://www.npr.org/2010/11/26/131614495/boy-an-icon-for-childhoods-lost-in-holocaust

Naomi T Period 7

King Tut's Chariots Marvels of Engineering

2010-12-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

King Tut, who was the pharaoh of Egypt over thirty three hundred years ago, owned chariots that showed great engineering for that era and even the era we are in today. When the British archeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb in Egypt, he noticed that there were two ceremonial chariots, a smaller decorated one, and three others. These chariots represented the high engineering level of Egypt’s chariot builders. The wheels contained a tire, but they were wooden and could maneuver through many different terrains, while still having a comfortable ride. Despite its comfortable ride, recent studies showed that King Tut may have fallen from his chariot because he had malaria in his foot which caused him to be less stable on his chariot. His chariots also showed high level engineering of beams and poles between the cart and the yoke. One of King Tut’s chariots travelled outside of Egypt for the first time in three millennia to a museum in New York City to show off its details and building system. All in all, King Tut’s chariots represented high engineering.
http://news.discovery.com/history/king-tut-chariot.html
Elizabeth C. Period 7

Michelangelo’s David armed?

2010-12-05T18:56:00.000-08:00

New research shows that Michelangelo’s David is holding in his right hand, the remains of a weapon. This weapon known as a fustibal is a staff sling that has a leather strap attached to the end. The study which concluded that the statue is indeed holding a weapon was presented at “Florens 2010: The International Week of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.” This staff-sling weapon was used to throw stones corresponding with David’s role as a biblical hero. In the bible, the story says that he “took up his shepherd’s staff, five smooth stones, and his sling.” The sling is the only of these things represented in the statue. With his left hand, he holds the pouch of the sling above his shoulder. The straps appear to be attached to an unknown item, now speculated to be the handle that the staff would be mounted on, creating the weapon. However, it is believed that the staff was not mounted because the place of display for the statue was changed, and the shepherd staff did not go with the new political meaning of the statue. In its expected display location, atop the Cathedral, the weapon would have remained concealed, with people only seeing the pouch and staff. But, placed in the doorway of the Piazza Signoria on September 8, 1504, it was transformed into a symbol of republican freedom. This study is highly controversial, and other scholars are skeptical. Among the other theories, is the idea that David is holding the handle of the sling, rather than a staff-sling, or Fustibal. 500 years later, Michelangelo’s David is still mysterious and open to new interpretations.

http://news.discovery.com/history/michelangelo-david-secret-weapon.html#view-comments

Jaclyn D Period 7

King Tut: Death by Hippo?

2010-12-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

Throughout the years, scientists have been completely puzzled by the exact death of King Tut. Many researchers have provided different theories as to why and what killed King Tut such as a coup de e'tat, gangrene, or a genetic disorder that took him at an early age. However, Egytology professor, Dr. Benson Harer, has laid out another theory on the table: a hippo death. Dr. Harer, concludes that King Tut was inflicted by a lethal hippo bite. Evidence of severed ribs, and his missing chest cavity and heart tipped off Harer. Usually, leaders as prestigious as King Tut would have his heart and chest inside of him during the embalming process which followed the strict mummification code, but Tut did not. Dr. Benson even says that King Tut's priests did not tell the public of his actual death to not let the people lose faith in the hierarchy. The Hippo was a praised deity and portrayed gods and goddesses from above. This type of "death by hippo" would force the people to think that the King was unfit for the throne and the gods despised him, leading to a panicked society.

Although Benson's idea maybe completely outrageous, death by hippos in Africa today are seen everywhere. Hunting for hippos was a highly accepted hunt for King Tut as well as people today which is why it may not seem like such an anomally for King Tut to have been killed by a hippo.

http://www.history.com/topics/king-tut-hippo

Michelle T Period 7

Lost But Now Found: the Body of Queen Hapshepsut

2010-12-05T18:52:00.000-08:00

Queen Hatshepsut is known as one of the first, most powerful women in world history. Her reign in Egypt was one of prosperity portraying her great leadership, yet, after her death, her history was nearly erased from Egypt. Records were destroyed, monuments desecrated, and her body was stolen from her tomb. It is believed that such extensive actions were taken to eradicate the information because of the fact that she was a female in a man's position. The body has been missing untill recently when a team of scientists created a scan of her physical features and compared it to thousands of unidentified corpses. After narrowing down multiple times, they came down to two mumies but after comparing a missing tooth, they finally found the missing queen.

Nadia L. Period 7

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/quest/lost-queen/program/program.html

A New Female Pharaoh for Ancient Egypt

2010-12-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Cleopatra VII was the only female pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty, but due to recent analysis of the royal crown, Queen Arsinoe II held that distinction 200 years earlier.
Born in 316 B.C. to Ptolemy I, friend of Alexander the Great, Arsinoe married her half brother Ptolemy Keraunos, after the death of her first husband, Lysimachus of Thrace. That marriage quickly ended after he killed two out of their three children in a power struggle, she returned to Egypt and married her full brother Ptolemy II. They became co rulers of the empire.
Anthropologists play close attention to her crown for crowns often served as an indicator for their role in society. Arsinoe’s crown reflected she was a high priestess, co-ruler, and religious significance as the goddess Thea Philadelphus. Most importantly, it showed she ruled as an equal and co- ruler to her brother. When Arsinoe died in 270 B.C. at 45, she became the first Ptolemaic Queen to receive her own cult and was worshipped for years.
http://www.history.com/topics/new-female-pharaoh
Shannon R. Period 8

Roman Pools

2010-12-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

Who knew that the Roman's had swimming pools? Well, at a recently discovered site in Jerusalem, archaeologists discovered the remains of several pools and baths that were once indoor structures of some sort of bath house. The discovered terra cotta roof tiles indicate that this was a large indoor structure. Some of these tiles were marked “LEG X FR,” for the tenth legion, "Fretensis". These pools are said to have been used by the Roman soldiers after taking Jerusalem and removing the Jews from their city. One of the plastered pools contains the footprint of a dog, possibly belonging to a soldier. This vast bath house reveals the extreme size of the Roman city in Jerusalem, founded by Emperor Hadrian. It shows the extent of artistry and technique used to make returning soldiers comforted and relaxed, which also shows the leisurely culture of the Romans.

Controversy of whether or not these water holding structures were pools or simply baths arose, however, the differing sizes and depths of them may show them to be used for several different purposes; possibly even a leisurely swim.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/roman-swimming-pool-found.html

Kaylyn B Period 7

Headless Roman Skeletons Discovered in English Cemetery

2010-12-04T18:30:00.001-08:00

80 exotic, beheaded skeletons were recently unearthed in an ancient English cemetery, and according to archaeologists, “the victims lost their heads a long way from home.” Of these 80 skeletons, almost all were male, and the majority were either buried with no head or buried next to their decapitated skull. Archaeologists have now discovered that these ancient burial grounds were used by the Romans in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries, A.D. According to one U.K. archaeologist, these skeletons are quite different physically from the people of ancient York, then called Eboracum. Using isotope science, the archaeologists were able to discover that, out of eighteen of these skeletons that were tested on, only five were originally from York, and the other thirteen had diets including plants that were not cultivated in England at the time. Several theories have developed as to why these exotic skeletons were in Rome at the time. One study shows that they may have been soldiers of a distant land, slain by Roman soldiers at the garrison in York. Another suggests that they may have been imported gladiators, and tooth marks from a large carnivore on one skeleton may have been from a gladiatorial lion or bear. Whatever the answer may be, it will require further forensic studies and bone analysis, and maybe then the truth of these exotic skeletons will be revealed.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101028-headless-skeletons-ancient-romans-england-exotic-science/

Hunter S Period 7

Lost Nazi-Era Art Resurfaces in Berlin Cellar

2010-12-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

While digging for 13^th century remains of a town house, archeologists were surprised to find the head of a terracotta statue. The archeologists found eleven terracotta statues overall dating back to the early 20^th century. These statues and other works of art were outlawed by the Nazis who took them from German art museums and claimed them to be “degenerate art.” The terracotta statues and other artwork were put on display in Munich by the Nazis. These pieces of art and many others were also outlawed. Upon discovering them, eight of the eleven statue’s artists have been identified. Continuing investigations of the town house’s cellar, which was destroyed by bombing, revealed the artifacts which all contain burn marks. Specialists were able to identify these artifacts from old photographs. The photographs showed many of the objects the Nazis stole from over one hundred German museums to put on display in Munich. The works of art displayed in these photographs were believed to have been sold for a profit or they could have been stolen or destroyed during World War II. Specialists, also, believe that the eleven terracotta statues were possibly saved by Erhard Oewerdieck, a tax collector who helped save some of the Jewish people during World War II. It is interesting to learn that the cellar that contained these eleven terracotta statues was part of the bombed town house that contained Erhard Oewerdieck’s office.

http://news.discovery.com/history/nazi-art-sculptures-berlin.html

Eveline G Period 7

Mystery of Inca Gold

2010-10-30T19:04:00.000-07:00

Throughout history, there are unsolved mysteries that civilizations leaved behind causing to unravel them. One legend is called the gold from Inca civilization is missing after the Spaniard conqueror, Francisco Pizzaro, denied the deal that Atahualpa offered him. The deal was when Pizzaro captured him, Atahualpa would give him a gold filled room. Now, the largest part that was supposed to be delivered never reached Pizarro and its hidden somewhere in a secret mountain cave. However, Valverde went treasure hunting which was led by his bride causing him to be rich. Before he passed away, he left directions on finding the gold called Derrotero de Valverde. Although, the gold treasure hunting began to die off in the 1850’s. A treasure hunter, Barth Blake, went to venture off to find the gold hidden by the Incas. He successfully found the gold and he wrote “There are thousands of gold and silver pieces of Inca and pre-Inca handicraft, the most beautiful
goldsmith works you are not able to imagine” in his letter. Though fate did not take him kindly because on his way back, he disappeared. According to Mark Honigsbaum, the gold will never be found due to it may have been already taken or it is lost in the mountains.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/guides/history/ancient/lost-inca-gold.html

Aspen F., Period 8

Mona Lisa’s Smile Hides Da Vinci’s Technique

2010-10-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hidden behind the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic Smile are dozens and dozens of layers of ultra-thin glaze, according to French researchers who examined the masterpiece through non-invasive x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The investigation revealed that up to 40 layers of transparent glaze, possibly smeared on with his fingers, produce the unique effect behind the mysterious smile. He used layers that were 1-2 micrometers thick, about 50 times thinner than a human hair. And since the layers were uneven, it created an illusion of a smoky effect around her mouth. This made it look more realistic and original because it makes it look like light and shade are blended without borders, creating a smoky effect. This effect is called, “Sfumato”, from the Latin base fumato meaning, “Smoke or fume.” The technique involved letting the layers dry for long periods of time, which could last from weeks to months. Attempts to solve the enigma around her smile, as proclaimed by 16th century artists, included theories from she was a noblewoman who was happily pregnant, suffering from asthma, had facial paralysis, or that the smile was a result of compulsive gnashing of teeth.

John Michaelson Period 3
http://news.discovery.com/history/mona-lisas-smile-hides-da-vincis-technique.html

Weather Wars

2010-10-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

A daring new study claims that the unraveling and creation of ancient Chinese dynasties has more to do with climate changes than political or social defects. The theory that weather disasters like floods and drought triggered shifts of power between dynasties are not new, however, until recently, no one had closely examined the intertwined relationship of changes in climate and Chinese society. Scientists led by Zhibin Zhang compared climate patterns of ancient times with the history of Chinese dynasties. They discovered that the collapse of agricultural reliant dynasties such as the Han, the Tang, both the Northern and Southern Song, and the Ming are closely linked to low temperatures. They also found that prosperous and stable periods occurred during warm spells.

Melanie Mabry Period 3

http://news.discovery.com/history/china-climate-wars.html

Highest Paid Athlete Hailed From Ancient Rome

2010-10-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods, David Beckham, and Maria Sharapova are athletes recognized for their colossal salaries. Compared to the Ancient Roman period, charioteer salaries made today’s superstar salaries seem puny. Can you ever imagine that by the end of your sports career, you could reel in over 15 billion dollars? Appuleius Diocles was a driver who raced for 24 years and was able to earn 35,863,120 sesterces and win about a fourth of his races. With this kind of money, Diocles could have been able to feed Rome with grain for one year, and pay the Roman Army for over two months; even in the height of Roman Civilization. Diocles "the most eminent of all charioteers" began his career when he was 18 years old in Rome during 122 AD. This sport involves making 7 laps with a chariot pulled by four or more horses, and those who win are those who manage to survive and finish in the top three. The only protection to the drivers would be a leather helmet, shin guards, chest protector, a whip and a sharp knife. With this low amount of protection, Diocles was still able to survive and compete in 4,257 races. It takes a very strong person to compete with these circumstances. Would you take that risk if billions could be won?

Delaney Cummings. Period 3
http://news.discovery.com/history/highest-paid-athlete-hailed-from-ancient-rome.html

New Clues Determined Under Da Vinci Restoration

2010-10-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

Some historians believe Da Vinci's work was not done alone. The restoration of this piece of artwork, however, further reveals that this painting was done by himself with no help. Some background information on this art: this piece is called "Madonna of the Rocks", and there are two separate versions of it. One done around 1450 hangs in the Louvre (where the Mona Lisa hangs), the second in London; in London is the newer version made around 1500, near the end on Da Vinci's life. Some of Da Vinci's projects were collaborative efforts with his students or art gallery owners. In "Madonna of the Rocks," it appears that it was completed by only Da Vinci. And that parts of the painting were preformed at different times. Also in 2005 a secret under sketch was preformed on the artwork. Why is this relevant? It gives historians more clues to how and to whom the paintings were done. No announcement has been made if any other of his paintings will be examined for these reasons.

alex crossland period 3

http://news.discovery.com/history/da-vinci-restoration-uncovers-new-clues.html#view-comments

Stolen Art by Nazis Finally Being Returned

2010-10-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, then the Nazis are guilty of stealing millions of words, represented by the thousands of paintings and other pieces of artwork they stole. It has been called the “greatest mass theft in history,” with countless families having being robbed of precious art and heirlooms. Starting in 2005, an organization called Claims Conference and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum began the project of returning works of art. Around 20,000 art works are now online, which are waiting to be claimed by their rightful owners. The website was made using the archives of the German agency tasked with logging the stolen art, the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg. These documents today are housed at the French foreign ministry, the US nation archives, and the German federal archives. Much of the art belongs to French or Belgian families, and was stored in the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris during the Nazi occupation of France. Currently, there have been 260 collections and 269 owners identified in the database. It is now up to museums, art dealers, and auction houses to check whether they are in possession of any art stolen from Holocaust victims.
Jeremy L. Period 1

Moses' Red Sea Parting Explained by Computer Model

2010-10-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

In this article, Larry O' Hanlon goes deep into the details of the Bible's story of Moses parting the Red Sea. The first thing he discovered was how the wind patterns described in the story could not fit those of the Red Sea. He expects that the story would more likely occur in conditions similar to those of the "Sea of Reeds" in northern Egypt. Also, the wind that was described was so strong, that Israelites would have had trouble even staying upright in the conditions. Due to these impossible conditions, O' Hanlon chose to conduct his study at Lake Manzala, which is set up right to go along with the conditions mentioned in the story. In his model, under perfect conditions, the wind would create an elevated mud bank, that could be used as a land bridge. Even with the geographical inaccuracy, the story of Moses parting the Red Sea could theoretically be done under perfect conditions, however, not in the way most people imagine the story.

by Steven G., Period 8

Ancient Letter to Pharaoh Akenhaten Discovered

2010-10-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Archaeologists in Jerusalem have unearthed the most ancient written document ever found there. It is small piece of a letter thought to be addressed to the pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled Egypt during the 14th century B.C. The tiny clay fragment, which is about one square inch in size, was discovered outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls, and is covered with cuneiform in ancient Akkadian. Archaeologists believe it is from the royal archives and is about 3,400 years old. The chip includes the words “you,” “you were,” “later,” “to do” and “them,” which is of a very high level, according to Wayne Horowitz, a scholar of Assyriology at the Hebrew University Institute of Archaeology. “It was written by a highly skilled scribe that in all likelihood prepared tablets for the royal household of the time,” said Horowitz, who deciphered the script with colleague Takayoshi Oshima of the University of Leipzig, Germany. Akhenaten, who is the son of Amenhotep III and the father of Tutankhamun, was the first pharaoh to introduce monotheistic religion; he overthrew the pantheon of gods to worship the sun god Aton. “The tablet fragment in Jerusalem is most likely part of a message that would have been sent from the king of Jerusalem, possibly Abdi-Heba, back to Egypt. The find testifies the importance of Jerusalem as a major city in the Late Bronze Age, long before its conquest by King David," said Eilat Mazar, the Hebrew University archaeologist who carried the excavation. The oldest known text previously found in Jerusalem was a tablet unearthed in the Shiloah water tunnel in the same area, which celebrated the completion of the tunnel. It dated back to the eight century B.C., so the tiny clay fragment predates it by about 600 years.http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/jerusalems-oldest-letter-found.html

by Kendall C. Period 8

World War 1- Gone for Good?

2010-10-22T13:27:00.000-07:00

As of October 3, 2010, Germany paid the final debt they owned as a result of World War 1. In November of 1918, the world, by means of the Versailles Treaty, agreed that Germany was at fault for the first World War and thereby should have to pay for the damages that resulted. In this case, in can’t be said that value of human lives cannot be measured in dollars. A grand total of 94 million dollars was owed for 10 million deaths and over 21 million injuries. This money is to be paid to the private parties, pension accounts, and businesses specified in the treaty. While this treaty seems to satisfy the world, Germany was less than pleased about it. The economy was already suffering after the war, and it continued to decline as a result of the payments. Great Stock Market Crash of 1929 pushed many Germans over the edge, and Hitler and the National Socialist Party, also referred to as Nazis, became icons of freedom from this poor state. Ironically, a contribution to the German endorsement of World War II became the stipulations made in the treaty to end World War I. However, Germany can finally financially put this behind them and move past the wars, working to unite and better their country.

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i-officially-ends

Aubrey H. Period 8

2010-10-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Three days after the first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, young Kazuko Uragashira was on a train to her uncle’s house in the city of Nagasaki. Little did she know, that she would be walking into one of the worlds worst disasters. Kazuko Uragashira is one of the last remaining survivors of both nuclear blasts. There is an estimated 150 people who are thought to have been exposed to both bombings. Many of the single and double bombing survivors are now speaking out to why the Americans decided to bomb not one but two Japanese cities. The survivor’s times are running short and now time is ticking against them to get their voices out.

Marc Holtsman
http://news.discovery.com/history/hiroshima-atomic-bomb-anniversary.html

From Holy to Horrific

2010-10-22T10:03:00.000-07:00

People seem to ignore global warming and pollution, but its existence proves to be in affect. The Jordan River which travels in Israel, Jordan and Palestine is another outcome of this epidemic. The river is sacred to Christians, because Jesus was baptized in it. Every year numerous Christians travel to this holy river and submerge their body in this water, despite the health hazards. This once clean river is currently composed of sewage, fish pond water, and agricultural waste. Sewage appears to be the most hazardous since several pipes empty its waste into this water. Also people living along the river mimic the pipes actions, and dump waste into it as well. Each year the river deteriorates, and it may disappear completely within the next year. Animals and wildlife have slowly migrated elsewhere, due to the unavailability of fresh water the Jordan River once provided. The shrinking of this river also threatens the Dead Sea because there is hardly any flow from the river, and the rivers' output is toxic. It is quite a tragedy and disappointment that this universally known river has almost disappeared due to a lack of care.

Amber C. Period 3
http://news.discovery.com/history/jordan-river-jesus-baptism.htmlb

Evidence of 2012 Through Other Religions

2010-10-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

We all know about the Mayan's prediction of "the end of the world" occurring on December 21, 2012, perhaps caused by large-scale natural disasters such as tsunamis or earthquakes, but were the Mayans the only ones to forsee such an event? Many other people have tried to predict the date when the world ends, but previous attempts have failed before. Histories of other major religions may provide insight on whether or not this really will happen. In Christianity, the Bible's Book of Revelation speaks of Armageddon, which is Hebrew for "mount of Megiddo." The city of Megiddo is located in Israel and many battles occurred here. Some think that Judgement Day will happen here and only "true believers" will survive Armageddon. Hinduism beliefs speak of Vishnu who will return in the "last cycle of time" and rids the world of evil forces. In Buddhism, this doomsday is referred to as Shambhala, during which evil will be suppressed by good. On the other hand, this event will restore the world instead of destroying it. Whether or not 2012 will happen or not, this day will definitely be remembered as a world-changing event.
http://www.history.com/topics/the-end-of-the-world
Taylor M., Period 3

Korean Movable Type and Its Effect on Europe

2010-10-22T00:10:00.000-07:00

After the Goryeo king formally surrendered to the Mongols in 1270, the printing

of Buddhist texts was a form of summoning spiritual strength for their harsh times. Korea

had already been distinguished for its woodblock printing tradition, but high demand for the

Tripitaka (the Buddhist canon) called for a more efficient way of producing texts. The Koreans

began to experiment with metal movable type because of the shortage of proper hardwoods and

their past experience with bronze coins. Surprisingly, woodblock texts were still produced after

the innovation of movable type because the advantages of woodblock printing for the Korean

language were not as great as for those of the European languages. European alphabets were

well suited for this technique because of the small number of characters that had to be made.

For example, the English alphabet only has twenty six letters in it. Koreans did not see the

advantage for movable type printing, except for mass publishing, because wood blocks could

be stored for later use and Koreans could produce wood blocks as fast as Europeans could set

up their pages of movable type. Therefore, the Korean’ s innovation of movable type, whether

it inspired Johannes Gutenberg or not, greatly advanced the European nations and elevated their

populace to a more literate state.

http://www.rightreading.com/printing/gutenberg.asia/gutenberg-asia-9-korea.htm

by Daniel B., Period 8

Were China’s Wars Driven by Climate?

2010-10-22T00:08:00.002-07:00

China is one of the world’s oldest and

longest-lived civilizations, and as such, has a long history of war and fighting within itself. Obviously, each instance of war, usually happening after or during the collapse of a dynasty, has its own unique causes. But, recent research suggests that almost all of those instances can be liked to climate changes. Comparing 2 sets of data, scientists discovered that when a dynasty, such as the Han and Ming collapsed, it often occurred partly due to food shortage. These food shortages were caused by slight drops in the climate ruining the steppe grasses used to feed critical livestock, forcing food prices to sharply rise, ruining the economy, and in turn, the empire. These climate changes occur naturally every few hundred years, but recent studies suggest global warming may speed up the process, which means that more food shortages may be on the way.

China's Wars Driven by Climate : Discovery News

By George B., Period 8

Diplomats: China tries to block UN Sudan report

2010-10-22T00:08:00.001-07:00

Last wednesday, October 20th, Chinese diplomats attempted to block a report of the United Nations declaring that Chinese ammuntion was sent to Darfur which directly violated a U.N. embargo. The Chinese unsuccessfully tried to confine the news by claiming that the panel was flawed and was questioningtheir methods in a negative manner.

The Security Council enforced an emargo due to African rebels warring against the government of Sudan. There is evidence supporting that the Chinese have been sending ammunition to the Sudanese government for the past two years. China has been contributing to the economy of Sudan by purchasing their crude oil and has political ties to the government. China sent ammuntion to Sudan becuase the rebels of the Sudanese government were continuing their military operations.

Diplomats of the U.N. agreed that the report of the violation will not be changed and will be formally submitted as planned.

LINK: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/10/20/diplomats-china-tries-block-sudan-report/

By Sarah D., Period 8

Armies, battles and weaponry of the 100 years wars. (English side)

2010-10-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Forces were raised principally by voluntary recruitment and organised by aristocratic leaders who contracted to serve the crown with a stated number of men-at-arms (knights and esquires) and archers. The terms, recorded in a written indenture, stipulated wages and an agreed length of service, such as six months or a year, with the possibility of extension. These aristocratic leaders contracted in their turn with those that they recruited into their companies. This method of raising an army ensured an effective command structure much superior to that of the hastily assembled French armies. The longbow played an important part in the English victories in the field. Its special qualities were its accuracy and penetrating power over a long range (approximately 200 metres) and the ease of rapid discharge, which was much faster than the rate of fire of French crossbowmen. The fire of well-positioned longbowmen was decisive against charging French cavalry at Crecy, and at Agincourt against both cavalry in the first attacking wave and the dismounted men-at-arms in the second wave. The longbow did not make the English invincible. Archers were always very vulnerable if they could be taken in the flank. Archers also played an important part in naval warfare. The longbow’s range and rapid rate of fire could be of great advantage as ships were closing to grapple. The English armies of the Hundred Years War were small by modern standards.

Written by Nico D. Period 8

High Rolling Chariot Racer

2010-10-22T00:02:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods has reportedly been making about $128 million a year, David Beckham recently signed a $250 million contract, and LeBron James has made about $126 million in his NBA career. However, none of these salaries even comes close to that of the sum collected by the famous, ancient chariot racer of Rome, Gaius Appuleius Diocles. Born in an area which is now known as Portugal and Spain, the young charioteer started his illustrious career at the young age of 18 in the year 122 A.D. The immense earnings of the famous athlete clearly show the value placed on athletes in ancient Roman society. Diocles did not pick an easy career. Charioteers had to race about 2.5 miles in laps around the Circus Maximus, an enormous racing stadium and entertainment venue of ancient Rome. If the racers survived the contest and were one of the first three to finish, they pocketed a prize. Although they faced a dangerous challenge, they were not without the protection of a helmet and padding. There were several factions that the charioteers could be a part of, Whites, Greens, Blues, or Reds. Diocles first rode with the Whites before switching to their rivals, the Greens, but he was most successful with the Reds. His career ended when he was 42 years old and it is speculated that by this time he had won 1,462 of his 4,257 races. While it is true that other charioteers won more than races than Diocles, he made the most money because he won at events that paid the most. By the end of his career he had amassed a wealth that would be worth about $15 billion today. This wealth is unlikely to ever be equaled by a professional athlete, but may remain a goal to strive for.

http://news.discovery.com/history/highest-paid-athlete-hailed-from-ancient-rome.html

By Lii K., Period 8

Russia's Mystery

2010-10-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

Russia's most mysterious archaeological site takes up a vast majority of a small island in the center of a remote lake high in the mountains of southern Siberia. Por-Bajin, the fortress, was supposedly built by the Uighurs, and there were excavations conducted on the site during the 1950s and the 1960. But now Irina Arzhantseva of the Russian Academy of Sciences is digging here for the Por-Bajin Cultural Foundation to find out when the complex was truly built and for what purpose. The few artifacts discovered at the site seem to be dated back to the mid-eighth century A.D. That was the time period of the Uighurs, who might have built the site on an island for defense from forces of warriors on horseback. Or, perhaps the island was the site of a palace or a memorial for a ruler. Por-Bajin's unique layout, more complex than that of other Uighur fortresses of the period, has led some scholars to suggest that it might have had a ritual role. The Uighurs eventually adopted Manichaeism so Por-Bajin was probably built by the son of a Uighur and a Chinese princess who married, Bö-gü, who converted to Manichaeism. The truth is that even now, after archaeologists have excavated one-third of the site to exacting standards, Por-Bajin remains a mystery, but with multiple theories.

http://www.archaeology.org/1011/etc/letter.html
by Rachel K., Period 8

Tibetans Protest Over Chinese-Language Rules: Report

2010-10-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

As always, China is in a fued with one group of people or another. This time it is with students of the Tibetan schools. The reason why this is taking place is because the Rebkong has now instilled a rule that all subjects are to be taught in Mandarin and all textbooks to be printed in Chinese. Tibetans have had a long heated past with the Chinese and Tibetans stated in this article that China is trying to get rid of the Tibetan culture in order to gain control over the Himalayan region. The riots regarding this heated topic have killed over 200 Tibetans and 21 Chinese people.

After reading this article, I questioned the Tibetan’s reasoning for their riots. Although they have a long heated past with the Chinese, China is trying to set a medium of instruction. Just like in the United States, those who come from Mexico and other countries are expected to read the textbooks in English and required to take instruction in English. If parents of the Tibetan students have such a concern than they are more than welcome to teach their kids Tibetan at home.
Olivia S. Period 7

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101020/wl_asia_afp/chinarightstibeteducationprotest;_ylt=AhJMyOUYL_AK1JIgDvx0vrMBxg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTM4ZmE0YmNpBGFzc2V0A2FmcC8yMDEwMTAyMC9jaGluYXJpZ2h0c3RpYmV0ZWR1Y2F0aW9ucHJvdGVzdARwb3MDMTAEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDYXRpYmV0YW53b21h

Boy With The Amber Beads

2010-10-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Stonehenge has been an attraction for 3,500 years bringing tourists from all over the world. Three miles away, the body of a boy has been discovered in the town of Amesbury, along with a necklace holding 90 amber beads. Archaeologist Andrew Fitzpatrick of Wessex Archaeology believes the necklace came from a high-status family judging by the exotic beads. The boy’s teeth were measured for oxygen and strontium to find out his native region. The oxygen level proved he was from a much warmer place, the Mediterranean region. The boy was fourteen to fifteen years old and most likely on a visit to Stonehenge with his family when he died of infection and buried in the high-status burial grounds.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101013-stonehenge-burials-boy-science-mediterranean/

Jon C. Period 1

Isaac Newton: Closet Alchemist

2010-10-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Isaac Newton, who is often considered the most influential scientist in history, invented calculus, described the law of universal gravitation, built the first reflecting telescope, and was clearly a master of the scientific method. Recently, however, a professor gave a public speech after science historians fully analyzed Newton's extensive writings on the subject of alchemy. Alchemy, which is now considered a pseudo-science, involves changing one element into another in the hope of creating gold, often through spiritual or philosophical means rather than scientific experimentation. Even at its height, alchemy was heavily criticized and often banned. Isaac Newton passionately practiced alchemy, mostly at night, for over thirty years. Despite its questionable status, alchemy was widely believed in by scientists in the 1600’s, was more similar to modern chemistry than magic, and resulted in several important achievements and inventions.

http://news.discovery.com/history/isaac-newton-closet-alchemist.html

Logan A. Period 1

Did Lead-Based makeup poison Samurai Children and Topple the Last Japanese Shogunate

2010-10-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

In the Edo period, shoguns ruled by using the feudal system. This system collapsed in 1868 and Japan returned to imperial rule. There are many reasons as to why this system failed, but recently there has been a new study that proposed makeup has a role in ending feudalism in Japan. Anatomist Tamiji Nakashima led a research which found people in a samurai graveyard. They found that the women had higher lead levels than the men, but the children had 50 time higher levels than that of their parents. Being of a higher class, samurai women would wear heavy lead-based powder on their face to have a white complexion compared to the peasants who has to work out in the sun. The children were most likely exposed to this lead while breastfeeding. Even Edo rulers got strange diseases that came from lead in the body which weakened the rulers and ultimately ended the shogunate system

http://www.history.com/topics/samurai-lead-poisoning

Taylor S. Period 1

Mona Lisa's Childhood Home Found

2010-10-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of the Mona Lisa has always had many mysteries and questions circulating about it. One of these numerous questions has finally been answered. Was The Mona Lisa a real person? According to new documents found, yes she, in fact, was a real person. Mona Lisa was born in a meager home in a rancid part of Florence Italy on June 15, 1479. Over the course of her life, Mona Lisa lived in as many as three other residences, with one containing a strong connection with Leonardo Da Vinci, whom later captured her face in his famous painting. At the age of 16, she married a wealthy soap merchant and moved in with him in a very large house, ironically, located in a bad neighborhood. When her husband died, he asked one of his children who had become a nun, to take care of Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa then moved into a convent where she died at the age of 63. All in all, one rumor about the Mona Lisa has finally been laid to rest, yes she was a real person, and she lived a fairly normal life for someone of her time.

http://news.discovery.com/videos/history-mona-lisas-childhood-home-found.html

Nicholas S. Period 1

Ancient Egyptian Priest's Tomb Unearthed in Giza

2010-10-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

As of this monday, Egypt has anounced that their archaeologists have discovered a more than 4,000 year old tomb near the Giza pyramids. This tomb was for Rudj-Ka a priest that sometime in the fifth dynasty (2465 - 2323 B.C.) He was part of a Cult under the rule of pharaoh Khafre. According the Zahi Hawass, general secretary of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquites, The pharaoh pyramids remained intact and well functioning due to the help of a cult of priests like Rudj-Ka and they preformed rituals to honor their dead leaders. The tomb is built of limestone blocks, and is positioned in a cliffside and also shows illustrations of daily life in Egpyt. Hawass believes that this discovery may lead to unknown and larger necropolises are near the great pyramids. He also is speculating if there is more tombs dedicated to some of the members of the royal court such as Rudj-Ka a Priest.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/ancient-egyptian-priests-tomb-unearthed-in-giza.html

Jesse V. Period 1

Odd Medical Treatments of the 18th and 19th Centuries

2010-10-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

It’s hard to imagine having your doctor recommend sulfuric acid as mouthwash, but in the 18th and 19th centuries many other unsafe and unsanitary practices including this were considered protocol (the norm). The U.K.’s national archives has released numerous medical diaries that contain detailed explanations of outlandish and sometimes successful treatments that were kept by royal navy officers. One account entails of a man who was revived with tobacco smoke after being overboard for more than 10 minutes. Rum was a much favored treatment for many things including headaches, spider bites, and scorpion stings. Another common practice – bloodletting was used to “cure” pneumonia. The patient was required to bleed 3.5 pints every three hours which inevitably led to death. One entry details a 12 year old girl vomiting an 87 inch long worm which was no doubt due to the effect of ingesting undercooked meat that came from cattle that were infected with tapeworms. This does not go to say that many of these illnesses could not have been prevented. Drunken brawls and gun fights were the cause of many broken bones and concussions. Another entry discusses the spread of venereal diseases on the HMS Gladiator in which one sailor infected with syphilis encounters a young woman with gonorrhea as an “experiment”. All in all, while these diaries may be appalling, they also provide a more accurate view of the high seas when it was run by the Royal Navy.

http://news.discovery.com/history/smoking-booze-once-cure-alls-at-sea.html

Brittany S. Period 1

The Secret of the Mona Lisa's Smile

2010-10-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Their is much more behind the Mona Lisa than we see. Using special x-rays we are able to see many thin layers of paint underneath the top layer of paint on the Mona Lisa. About 40 different layers have been discovered. Da Vinci did this on purpose as his intention was to create a sort of smoky or blurring the outlines of the figure. This is known as "sfumato" from the Italian word "fumo" (meaning smoke). He did this by laying down a thin glaze and smearing it with his finger. This gave the painting a more three dimensional effect. Each one of these layers is about 1-2 micro meters, about 50 times thinner than the human hair.

One of the Mona Lisa biggest mysteries is her smile. It seems as though it glows. Using the same x-ray machine they noticed the sfumato effect in the smile. Using contrasting colors gave the smile a certain glowing effect. This effect took many years to complete. The whole painting took around four years to complete. The sfumato effect is seen all through the painting and gives it a very life like feeling. Using the sfumato effect has given the Mona Lisa her very interesting look and smile.

http://news.discovery.com/history/mona-lisas-smile-hides-da-vincis-technique.html

Nathan D. Period 1

Alexander the Great Killed by Toxic Bacteria

2010-10-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

There have been many different theories on how the ruler Alexander the Great may have died at the young age of thirty-two. One theory suggests that he may have been poisoned, and the poison may have come from the deadly Styx River. The Styx River according to myth is the portal to the underworld, the waters lethal enough to ruin crystal, pottery and bronze, and even render a god unable to move or breath for a year. Recently, scientists have found that there may actually be a deadly poison in the river. This “poison” would be calicheamicin, a secondary metabolite of Micromonospora echinospora that is extremely cytotoxic. It was first found in deposits of calcium carbonate that form on limestone. The waters of the Styx come from the mountains of Achaia, Greece and run over a limestone crag where the bacteria could be picked up. The bacteria can cause illness that induces high fever, chills, and severe muscle and neurological pains, which are similar to the symptoms that Alexander faced in his last days. Since the water was said to be deadly enough to strike down a god, and Alexander was considered semi-divine it is possible one saw it the best poison to kill him. Scientists have yet to determine if calicheamicin is definitely the toxic bacteria to plague the Styx River, however, and there is no way to know if it is fact the cause of the once great rulers death.

http://news.discovery.com/history/alexander-the-great-bacteria.html

Emily M. Period 1

One 15 Million Dollar Meal? Preposterous!

2010-10-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine spending $15,000,000 on a single meal? Today a cheap dinner can cost only a couple bucks at a fast food joint. But Cleopatra, a pharaoh of ancient Egypt, was once involved in a bet against her lover, Marc Antony, in which she had to spend 10 million sesterces on a single meal, which today is equaled by about 15,000,000 U.S. dollars. Cleopatra accomplished this gigantic feat by an ingenious thought; take a small but valuable object, say, a pearl earring, and consume that, in order to fulfill the enormous budget. As ancient sources so claim, Cleopatra plopped the pearl into a glass of vinegar, most likely white vinegar, and then consumed the drink, and in this way, she beat Marc Antony on their bet. Today, that claim to such an outrageous action is supported by the experiments of Prudence Jones, a classicist of the Montclair State University. Jones placed a large pearl in a glass of white vinegar, similar to what was popular around this period of Greco-Roman culture, and discovered that the pearl would dissolve in about 24 to 36 hours. The process could be sped up by boiling the vinegar or crushing the pearl first. Through Jones’ experimentation and obvious evidence, it appears apparent that Cleopatra really did swallow a pearl and spent 10 million sesterces on one meal. Although this event is considered a falsity or legend by some historians, new support, old records, and the baking by several educated people grants support to the accuracy of such a claim. In the words of a Stanford University research scholar, Adrienne Mayor, ""I think this research has convincingly demonstrated the technique that Cleopatra could have used to dissolve a pearl. We already know that this curious, intelligent queen carried out toxicological experiments." True or false? Would you be able to spend 10 million sesterces in a single sitting without so ingenious a plan? Even with the backing and resources of so influential a pharaoh? It takes a special person to achieve that brilliance.

By Samantha H. Period 3

http://news.discovery.com/history/cleopatra-pearl-cocktail.html

Is this Nefertiti?

2010-10-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Archaeologist Joan Fletcher has been working with the mummy for twelve years and still she is not certain if the mummy is Nefertiti or if it isn’t. Fletcher has accumulated new first hand evidence suggesting that this mummy is indeed Nefertiti. Because this mummy is bald it raised some doubts but Fletcher has found a wig discovered in the tomb that was most likely used by Nefertiti. The mummy was probably mutilated and destroyed by grace robbers looking for jewels, but one of the injuries was sustained in life resulting in severe blood loss and probably her death. The mutilations may have also been by priests trying to destroy her chances of going into the afterlife.

JJ A. Period 7

http://dsc.discovery.com/egypt/nefertiti-story/story-04.html

2012 Mayan Calendar ‘Doomsday’ Date Might Be Wrong

2010-10-19T20:05:00.001-07:00

It is commonly known that the Mayan’s “predicted” the end of the world on December 21, 2012. Predicted by one of their calendars, they suspect the world to end due to many cataclysmic astronomical events, which we know is completely incorrect. But according to a professor at UC Santa Barbara, the “end day” may be inaccurate by a total of 60 days at least. Historians have also said that the Mayan calendar never predicted an apocalypse. When the Mayans created the “Long Count” calendar, a departure from the shorter calendars, it was a numerically predictable calendar, not based on archaic measures of time. The Mayans predicted that the calendar would run out after 5,126 years. This calendar began in the year 3114 making the “end date” 2012. The date is December 21st due to the day the day the Winter Solstice begins in the Northern Hemisphere. The major issue with this date being inaccurate is the fact that archaeologists might of miscalculated the right day due to the fact that the Mayan calendar didn’t perfectly translate into “our” Gregorian calendar of years, months, and days.

By: Taylor W.
Period: 7

http://news.discovery.com/space/the-2012-mayan-calendar-doomsday-date-might-be-wrong.html

Child Abuse in the Americas?

2010-10-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Compared to the cruel working conditions children suffered during the Industrial Revolution, the Incan sacrifices triumphs over other society’s treatment of children. Just a few months ago, archeologists discovered the remains of seven children sacrificed and buried with gold and silver figurines, pottery, and clothing beneath a 500-600 year old building found in the Cuzco Valley in Peru. Unfortunately, Incan and foreign children between the ages of three and twelve were selected for these sacrificial rituals based on their physical attributes and tooth development. After chosen, victims were brought to the Incan capitol, Cuzco, and escorted to distant sacrificial sites, where religious priests administered elaborate ceremonies and violently strangled and fractured children’s hyoid neck bone to honor the Incan deities and promote political unity. Moreover, it seems the Inca viewed these sacrifices seemed seamless and ordinary to normal Incan society. Nonetheless, due to the evolution of laws and religion, such actions would lead to death, persecution, or other unsympathetic penalties today.

Brandon Y. Period 7

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/inca-child-sacrifice-clues.html

Ancient Maya Buried Relatives, Artifacts Under Homes

2010-10-18T21:44:00.000-07:00

The Ancient Mayan commoners may have been illiterate, but they discovered ways to record their history without writing it down. They did so by burying their life underneath their homes. In Central Belize, an area where Mayan civilizations once were, two houses uncovered about a dozen human remains, along with artifacts, bones, rocks, and other symbols of their daily life. In the Maya, the burials were an important event. When a death has occurred, the house and everything in it is burned down. This provides a base for building a new house, and this process is repeated after major family member’s deaths. Many bowls and art were found in perfect condition, and they were symbolically arranged for the ceremonies. Although we don’t have written material from the Mayans, they have provided us an artistic way to discover and interpret their lifestyles, which still astound us today.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/maya-burial-homes-histories.html

by Madi C., period 8

A Babylonian Revival

2010-10-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

As of the 30th of September, researchers at Cambridge University have discovered how to speak Babylonian. Through an in depth study of forensic evidence, spelling commonalities, and comparisons with other known languages, the scholars have been able to discover how to pronounce the words of the Babylonians, instead of just reading them. The scholars have posted several audio recordings of themselves speaking these languages online. A sample of these recordings can be found here: http://www.firstcontactradio.com/blog/?p=167273

The commander-in-chief of this massive undertaking was Martin Worthington, who claimed his work to be that of a detective, deriving clues from the cleverest places. He knows their current pronunciations may not be perfect, but he feels as if they have made a fairly good guess. Because of his work, documents such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi that have not been read aloud in over 2000 years can be heard anew in modern times.
http://sify.com/news/scholars-bring-alive-babylonian-2-000-years-after-it-died-news-international-kj4vaoichib.html

Griffin B. Period 8

Ancient Olympics

2010-10-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Today, the Olympics are one of the most popular sporting events in the world with hundreds of millions of viewers. When the Olympics first started back in 776 BCE, many things were different. To start, the games were held every four years only in Olympia, Greece whereas today they are held every four years in cities all around the world. Also, the ancient Olympics didn’t have winter games and there were only ten total events. In today’s games, there are about 380 total events in the summer and winter Olympics. In ancient times, the events were very different. Boxing for example, didn’t have gloves and there weren’t weight classes. Wrestling was also very different. There were two separate types, one played from the ground and one played from standing upright. The objective was to get the opponent to touch the ground. If the opponent’s shoulders or hips touch the ground, they lost. There were also some events played in Olympia that are not played today. These include chariot racing, pankration, and the pentathlon. Another huge difference was the competitors and viewers. Only men were allowed to compete and watch. If a woman was caught watching the Olympics she was killed. One way officials made sure women weren’t getting into the Olympics and viewing the games was by making everyone walk in to the stadium in the nude. Although the first Olympics were a training ground for Greek warriors, modern Olympic Games are a showcase for talented athletes from all around the world.

Hayden C. Period 7

http://period8dolzall.tripod.com/olympics.html

Parting of the Red Sea: Fact of Fiction?

2010-10-18T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt is recognized internationally by various cultures and peoples. The story focuses around Moses, a Hebrew adopted by an Egyptian royal family (ignorant of his affiliation with the religion) who freed his fellow Hebrews and led them to the Red Sea where God parted the waters, allowing Moses and his gang to cross the sea. The story’s legitimacy has been a subject of question since its distribution in ancient times. But despite the long held arguments over the subject, Carl Drews of the National Center for Atmospheric Research believes he has cracked the nut. The Book of Exodus provides information regarding the meteorological settings of the day, stating, “The Lord drove the sea away all night with a strong east wind and turned the sea-bed into dry land.” Drews used this information to develop a computer simulation, recreating the event. He found that a 63-mile-per-hour wind would be able to push the water to the point where wide, mud flats would be exposed, creating a land bridge in the water that would last for up to four hours. Though the occurrence of these winds would be extremely coincidental, it is plausible.

Max H. Period 7

http://news.discovery.com/history/moses-red-sea-parting.html

The Origin of Firearms

2010-10-18T18:39:00.001-07:00

Ever wondered who invented the first gun? There has always been much speculation over this, but the exact date and place have never been completely confirmed. It is believed though that the Chinese of the Song dynasty around 500 A.D. were the first to discover this monumental invention. Although these firearms were very primitive and ineffective in their early stages, the Song put them to military use nonetheless. They originally consisted of just a projectile launched by the use of gunpowder. The Fire-lance was one such weapon, being “a combination of two components[:] a spear coated with gunpowder used as a flamethrower and a gun.”

Early cannons became used more broadly in the 12^th century, and also began to emerge in Europe. The original cannons were small and fragile, as they were not yet made of metal. These cannons (which rested on stands) were operated by one soldier and were ignited by a torch. These cannons could be very risky to use due to the explosive nature of gunpowder, and the lack of effective range allowed the enemy to get too close. This was largely due to the barrel being made of bamboo and firing ammunition made of shrapnel and pellets. The Chinese put these cannons to use against the Mongol invaders. The primitive bamboo cannons were eventually replaced by metal, and in a few centuries became what is now in use today.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/who-invented-the-first-gun.html

Brandon Y. Period 7

The Origin of Blue Jeans

2010-10-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

Blue jeans, everybody has them. They are the staple of every person’s—at least every teenager’s—closet. You can buy flare, boot cut, or skinny jeans. Historians for a long time have traced the timeline of jeans to two probable locations: a tough fabric from the city of Nimes in France—the word “denim” comes from the phrase “de Nimes”—and a cotton material from a city in northern Italy, Genoa—“Genes” in French, which later became “jeans” in the English language. But which place is the origin of this mega-popular clothing item?

The answer to this question may be in the works of an anonymous 17th-century northern Italian artist. In each of this artist’s ten newly found paintings (except one) he portrays a blue indigo fabric that is threaded with white. This blue indigo fabric, for example, appears in the jacket of a beggar boy and in the skirts of a peasant woman. Gerlinde Gruber, curator of for Flemish Baroque paintings at the Picture Gallery of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, has dubbed this unknown artist the “Master of the Blue Jeans.” According to Gruber, it was unusual for a painter to depict the poor with great detail, which may be why jean fabric was not often portrayed in other artwork. The “Master of the Blue Jeans” however, did show the lives of the poor, and his inclusion of blue indigo fabric in his works could reflect the growing use of denim among the poor during his lifetime.

According to curators, the blue hue of the fabric depicted in this artist’s paintings is identical to the indigo that is used today to dye denim; further proof that today’s denim can claim northern Italy as its birthplace. But whether Italian or French, one thing is clear: jeans have gone from being a blue indigo fabric worn by lowly peasants and beggars to a must-have fundamental of a fashion-forward wardrobe, costing up to $600 a pair.

Ana N.
Period 7
http://news.discovery.com/history/first-denim-mystery-solved-italian-art.html

Tracing the Black Death

2010-10-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Ever since the sixth grade we have been told and have known that an epidemic wiped out more than a third of the population of medieval Europe. This deadly disease was known as the Black Death or the Black Plague. We have found today that this disease has been closely compared to the bacteria Yersinia Pestis. Yersinia Pestis has been blamed for the massacre of the people in Europe. This bacterium has been blamed because it has been proven that traces of this bacterium have been found on victims’ teeth and bones. We have always been told this plague came from northern France over to England and then spread from there. However, samples of different versions of Yersinia Pestis have not only been found in France, but also in southern Netherlands. This implies that the pandemic not only came from northern France, but was also penetrating Europe from the southern Netherlands. The concentration of these bacteria infiltrating Europe from both borders enhanced the disease, which may have made it stronger and unstoppable. All in all, historians will never know where the Black Plague started, but new evidence and new interpretations may lead us to new understandings and a different perspective.

Danny W. Period 7
http://news.discovery.com/history/black-death-plague-bacteria.html

Alexander the Great killed by toxic bacterium in The Styx

2010-10-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Originally, Alexander the great was said to have died over 2000 years ago of alcohol poisoning. Recent studies have shown that Alexander the Great may have died from an extraordinarily toxic bacterium from the Styx River. Alexander became ill while at an all night drinking party in Babylon, when he suddenly began crying out from a sudden “Sword stabbing pain in his liver,” which what the effect of the bacterium would do to you. In the twelve days following, he worsened and was unable to move anything but his hands and eyes. Later he fell into a coma a died on June 11, 323 B.C. According to studies the bacterium in the Styx River is called calicheamicin, which is a secondary metabolite of Micromonospora echinospora. Calicheamicin was discovered in caliché in the 1980s, it is crusty deposits of calcium carbonate that form on limestone and is common in Greece. According to myth the Styx was a portal to the underworld and it is where the gods swore sacred oaths. If a god lied on the sacred oath Zeus made them drink from the river and they were struck down. Alexander was said to be semi-divine which is why a sacred poison used by the gods was appropriate for him. The Styx has now been renamed to Mavroneri, meaning “Black Water”. It originates in the high mountains of Achaia, Greece, its cold water cascades over a limestone crag to form the second highest waterfall in Greece. Most people believe Alexander still died of natural causes, but a further study could prove otherwise.
By Tyler M.
7th period

http://news.discovery.com/history/alexander-the-great-bacteria.html

Black Death Blamed on Bacteria

2010-10-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

On Friday, anthropologists announced and confirmed the germ that many feared called Yersinia pestis which caused the plague that killed third of the Europe’s population in the Middle Ages. They used 76 skeletons’ teeth and bones from the "plague pits" founded in the France, Germany, Italy and the Netherland. They had DNA test run to prove Yersinia pestis was to blame for. This germ had been around for longer than a century as a source of the Black Death which lasted from the 14th century to the 18th century. A study say that the germ was not located in Europe but in fact from Central or Southern Asia through trade. They continued to run testes on Yersinia pestis on 20 samples of DNA marker to indentify the bacterial strain. They are determined to see if our present day Yersinia pestis that has been going around the world is the match of the past Yersinia pestis, but they did not match. They were either Orientalis or Medievalis. The start of spreading started in November 1347, most likely driven by fleas living on rats that crept on the land from ship docked at the French port of Marseille. Over the six years, it reaches through western to northern France then over land to England then to all over Europe. Another guessing how the germ entered to Europe was from Norway or Friesland. After the chaos from 1347, the disease continued to spread around the continent, which causes a big mess in the social and political outcome.
http ://news .discovery .com /history /black -death -plague -bacteria .html

Lynn N. Period 1

Dental and Medical Problems Tortured Egyptians

2010-10-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Although we take doctors and dentists for granted today, ancient people didn’t always have medical care available at their fingertips. Cavities and worn teeth had a negative impact on Egyptians, recent studies show that many ancient Egyptians suffered from a multitude of dental problems which caused excruciating pain, including cavities, abscesses, and periodontal diseases. The teeth on most mummies excavated are very well preserved, thus providing the opportunity for researchers to do CT imaging. Dental troubles were not the only problem of the ancient Egyptians however; many endured chronic infectious middle ear diseases as well as tuberculosis. Pulmonary diseases are being discovered in the ancient Egyptian mummies as well. These diseases, such as pneumonia, have been linked to the presence of carbon in the lungs. The death of Egyptians however remains a mystery, the embalming process and the nature of the diseases makes the death difficult to diagnose. Although in most cases, the deaths occurred due to disease, trauma, and malnutrition. Consequently, the medical well being of some Egyptians lead to a life of suffering and pain.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/mummies-teeth-disease-diagnosis.html

Mason G. Period 7

Victorian Texting Lingo?

2010-10-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

These days, texting lingo has dramatically grown into a universal language. Whether you text or not, you can figure out that “I heard that 1 from U B4” means “I heard that one from you before.” This message looks like a typical text message from a teenager but actually, this type of abbreviated and acronym-filled language was used about 130 years by Victorian writers. In London, an exhibit displays an emblematic poem from 1867 that demonstrates the use of textspeak. Charles Carroll Bombaugh wrote the poem, entitling it Gleanings From the Harvest-Fields of Literature, and in it did it include verses as simple as “he says he love U2” or as complicated as “And 1st should NE NVU, B EZ, mind it not,” which translates to “And first should any envy you, be easy, mind it not.” According to David Crystal, author or Txtng: The Gr8 Db8 [“Texting: The Great Debate”], certain phrases have been around so long that the what seemed so foreign mobile language is not so alien after all. IOU [“I owe you”] has been around since 1618 and SWALK [“sealed with a loving kiss”] has been seen in the letters from World War II. So, next time your teacher calls you out for abbreviations or acronyms on your assignments, put the blame on the Victorian Era writers who started it all. TTFN.

Charisse P.

Period 7

http://news.discovery.com/history/victorian-poets-used-texting-lingo.html?print=true

The Titanic Sank because of a Steering Error?

2010-10-11T05:42:00.001-07:00

Everyone has heard the story of the Titanic, the then biggest-ever ship that was lost on its maiden voyage. Recently, new light has been shed on the reason that the ship ran into an iceberg and sank, ultimately killing more than 1,500 people. Apparently, there were two different ways to command steering; Tiller orders, for sailing ships, and Rudder orders, for steamships. Therefore the Titanic, being a steamship, was operating on Rudder orders. Unfortunately, Rudder orders and Tiller orders meant the exact opposite of each other; “hard-a-starboard” meaning “turn left” for one, and “turn right” for the other. Thus, when the order “hard-a-starboard”, which, under Rudder orders, would have turned the ship away from the iceberg, was wrongly interpreted by experienced Quartermaster Robert Hitchins to be Tiller orders, he turned the Titanic toward the destined iceberg. This new evidence as to why the Titanic sank was released from Louise Patten, who had learned it from her grandfather, who was afraid telling the tale would cause his friends, who worked for the people who owned the Titanic, to lose their jobs. This family “secret” is apparently old news to Titanic experts, who speculate that this could be one reason for the Titanic’s failure. Hitchens, the aforementioned Quartermaster, has a granddaughter who is now writing a book contrary to this evidence. The reason for the sinking of the Titanic will always be debatable, because, as with any other historical event, we do not have the full evidence of what happened.

Zachary K. Period 7

http://news.discovery.com/history/steering-error-sunk-the-titanic-says-author.html

Chariot Racers Paid as much as Today?

2010-09-26T18:44:00.001-07:00

Since my life is all about sports, I decided to do my Blog assignment on sports in Ancient Rome. Many assume that the highest paid athletes ever come from this century, and that assumption is one hundred percent wrong. According to the estimate published in the historical magazine Lapham’s Quarterly, Roman charioteers were and still are the highest paid athletes of all time. There salaries belittle those of modern day superstars such as Alex Rodriguez, Maria Sharapova, and Usain Bolt. Classical studies done at the University of Pennsylvania show that Tiger Woods was not sports first billion dollar man. In fact, that title was already taken by a second century charioteer named Gaius Appuleius Diocles. This man would take on an income of 35,863,120 sesterces which are ancient Roman coins in prize money per race. Though being a charioteer is much more dangerous than playing a round of golf it was very similar to NASCAR and just as dangerous. According to a monumental inscription erected in 146 A.D. Diocles was born in Lusitania and started his very successful career in 122 A.D. when he was 18. All in all, those of us here at RHS who dream to be in the pros and make salaries that equate to those of Darrell Revis, and Albert Hanyesworth should rethink that and hope to make as much a Diocles the ancient Rome charioteer.

http://news.discovery.com/history/roman-charioteers-athletes.html

Drew A. Period 7

Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls?

2010-09-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 within 11 caves close to the site of an ancient settlement, Qumran. It was originally assumed that the Essenes, a Jewish sect, living in Qumran, were the authors of the scrolls as ritual bathes were uncovered in Qumran, and many of the teachings in the scrolls are consistent with the social standards of Essene culture. However, excavation done at Qumran in recent years indicates that the pools, once thought to be ritual bathes, may actually have been used for the manufacturing of pottery. In addition to this, writing on new archeological evidence found in Jerusalem is written in the same code as that which the scrolls were written in. These discoveries gave rise to a new theory, that the scrolls were written not in Qumran, but Jerusalem and transported to their final location by priests, after the position of high priest was assumed by the king. Yet another theory is that the scrolls were brought to Qumran by groups of Jews escaping from Jerusalem after the Roman siege. Chemical analysis of the pottery, which housed the scrolls, shows that only half of it was actually made locally. Despite these new discoveries, however, some experts still agree with the original theory, arguing that the scrolls all share a common theme. Ultimately, no matter their origin, the scrolls offer important insight into Judaism during the first century.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/07/100727-who-wrote-dead-sea-scrolls-bible-science-tv/
Emily L. Period 1

Napoleon as it was...

2010-01-05T22:57:00.000-08:00

Well robot chicken did it again and have produced a perfect

rendition of Napoleon.

Andy Chung

Peer Teacher

Pearl Harbor

2009-12-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

Ed Johann is a retired firefighter. As a survivor of the attacks at Pearl Harbor Ed has many memories of that fateful day. However, his memories are not pleasant. While he was an apprentice seaman he spotted the Japanese planes flying toward Pearl Harbor. Ed was on a rescue boat that was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the USS Arizona after it had been attacked. When they got to the ship they saw the water filled with bodies some alive some dead, others dying. He and his rescue crew continued to carry as many soldiers as they could back and forth from the hospital. This day that dramatically affected the lives of so many people and families, changed the life of Ed Johann and continues to haunt him to this day.

Jordan B.
Period 3

2009-12-14T23:45:00.000-08:00

I know these were due on Friday, but during the study session on Thursday he told us they were due by Monday. You can talk to him if you would like.

Earhart a Survivor?

Evidence has been found that Amelia Earhart maybe have survived the unknown crash that caused her disappearance, in the summer of 1937. Scientists have found evidence that she most likely crashed on the island of Nikumaroro. There has been evidence of a few women bones that follow traits on women of European descent, and follow the body structure of Amelia. A women shoe has been found and so has an empty bottle. It seems that a forced landing was attempted on the fat island, and Amelia and her navigator survived and lived as outcasts on the island. They became castaways, and eventually died on the island. Scientists are not able to find more proof because Sand crabs that live on the island, have most likely snatched the bones, and hare now hidden deep in the crab caves. So the real question is, Was this Amelia’s final resting place, or is the mystery still unknown?

http://news.discovery.com/history/amelia-earhart-resting-place.html

Neil Brinckerhoff
Period 7

LATE LATE LATE

WWII Veteran Donates Book Belonging to Hitler

2009-12-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

WWII was drawing to a close, and a number of United States soldiers invaded Hitler's home in Berchtesgaden, Germany to celebrate an almost certain victory. Among them is 23-year-old John Pistone, who grabbed a thick book filled with pictures of paintings from a shelf. It is now the present, 64 years later, and Pistone is finally relinquishing his hold on this precious artifact.

The 3-inch thick, 12 pound book sat on his bookshelf for many years until a friend questioned what it is. After extensive research, the friend discovered that it could be an important relic, as the Monument's Men Foundation in Dallas had been searching for similar pictures in Germany for the past several years. Pistone offered the book to the Foundation, and after inspection, was notified that it was of true authenticity and great value. The book is part of series of books, all containing photographs of paintings. These book were logs of the paintings Hitle planned to place in his museum, Fuhrermuseum, in Linz, Germany.

The album will be returned to its homeplace through an official ceremony with Germany taking place in January. Before it makes another journey across the pond, however, it will be displayed for three months at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/09/national/main5949935.shtml

Erica Stirckler
Period 7

THIS BLOG ENTRY WAS IN ON TIME BUT THERE WAS SOME ISSUES WITH MY COMPUTER SO I GOT IT IN A LITTLE LATE
Andy Chung

Galileo and His Battles With the Church

2009-12-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

Galileo was the genius of his time. He learned the ideas of Nicolaus Copernicus, his notion that the Earth traveled around the sun not that the sun rotated around the Earth. His belief of a heliocentric theory got him into a lot of trouble, such as getting put into house arrest. He had the notion of gravity, he would take cannonballs of all weights and shapes and drop them off of the tower and time their falls. He realized that they fell at the same speeds. He threw some cannonballs and saw that they hit the ground the same time that the ones dropped were hitting the ground. He also experimented with pendulums and inclined planes. His ideas were the seeds of modern science. His ideas were used in later years by Isaac Newton.

He had to appear in front of the Inquisition to answer to his “heretical” ideas. His ideas were contrary to the church at the time so he was to be tried as a heretic. Galileo pleaded guilty to the charge of a heretic and admitted that he had argued the heliocentric theory too aggressively. The pope then has him put under indefinite house arrest in his villa in Arcetri which near Florence, where he spent the remaining years of his life.

Brian C.
Period 3

The Territorial Dispute Over Dokdo

2009-12-12T17:23:00.000-08:00

Dokdo consists of two tiny rocky islets surrounded by 33 smaller rocks. Both Japan and Korea lay claim to Dokdo and both claim a long historical and geographical connection with the islets. In June 1947, the Japanese Foreign Ministry appealed to the U.S. occupation authorities over Japan's claim to sovereignty over both Ullungdo and Dokdo in a treatise entitled, "Minor Islands in the East Sea", hoping to influence U.S. opinion in any future deliberations concerning the island that would take place in the upcoming peace treaty negotiations. The Japanese ministers denied Korea's ownership on the grounds that "no Korean name exists for the island" and that Dokdo "is not shown on the maps made in Korea". The Japanese document also argued that the settlers on the island had just arrived recently and that the island’s development was "still in an incipient stage", and because of this, it was not within the Korean government’s ability to develop the island. And Japanese government distorted their history textbook about Dokdo that Dokdo is originally Japanese’s territory so Japanese students learning wrong history. The resolution of the dispute over Dokdo is still uncertain. However, governments outside of Japan and Korea really have no interest in getting involved in the issue.

http://dokdo-research.com/page4.html

Ji Hye J.

Period 3

Under the Ashes

2009-12-12T17:22:00.001-08:00

Pompeii - known for its grand villas and famous fish sauce, lavish homes with beautiful courtyard gardens, heating systems and running water. It was a vibrant city and a flourishing Roman trade town, until disaster struck...

August 4, A.D. 29, a cloud of smoke shaped like a pine tree could be seen escaping from Mt. Vesuvius. As astonished Pompeians made haste to collect all of their valuable belongings and flee towards the Bay of Naples, they could already taste the ash upon their tongues. They played fugitives on the beach, hoping to wait out the blanket of ash smothering their city. They would have no idea that in the next 19 hours, Pompeii would fall into a silent darkness. Just another lost civilization.

It would be another 1,700 years in 1748 before archeologists would begin the never-ending process of uncovering and preserving this lost city. An 18-year dig in Herculaneum, a city overlooking the Bay of Naples, revealed 300 bodies excavated from 75 feet of solidified ash. These were the escapees from Pompeii, most found to be carrying with them items of value. These victims were once assumed to have died from asphyxiation (suffocation), but it is later discovered through the study of bone fractures, that these Pompieans died instantly from thermal shock after a swell of heat overwhelmed the beach area. The fugitives were killed in mere seconds without any time to react.

It was a dreary day in Naples. It was overcast and only a matter of time before the clouds would open up to the rain, yet it set the perfect mood as I set foot onto Pompeii. It was the most fascinating part of my month-long trip exploring Europe. Pompeii was rich with an inauspicious history, but these tragic events made it all the more intriguing to me. As our tour guide led us through the unveiled streets of the once invisible city, I looked from right to left at what were once store fronts, villas, and whore houses. It could only lead me to imagine what it would be like to be living prosperously and peacefully one second and nineteen hours later vanish from existence. The tour guide answered this question for me. He told us a story about Pliny the Younger, the first and only eyewitness account of the life-altering event. I found more information on him through the Discovery Channel website to refresh my memory. Pliny the Younger was at his uncle's house, known as Pliny the Elder. As Mt. Vesuvius was blowing its top off, Pliny the Elder headed for the heart of Pompeii to witness the event. He did not survive, but Pliny the Younger, who stayed behind with his mother, survived. He wrote accounts of his first hand account of the deadly event and sent it to Tacitus, a Roman historian. He describes the terrible time as a "last unending night for the world" and so frightful that "some prayed for death." The cloud of ash was described as "the black of closed and unlighted rooms. "He describes the atmosphere as so thick of ash that they "stood up and shook up the ash again and again, otherwise [they] would have been covered by it been crushed by the weight." As the smoke died down, Pliny portrays what is left as a "changed world, buried in ash, like snow."

2,000 bodies were excavated, but 10,000 lives are estimated to being lost. It is so fascinating, though, to think that some actually did survive this catastrophic event, but there is no doubt it was possible. Take this quiz to see if you would have survived. I answered 13 out of 18 questions correct and made it to safety.

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/pompeii/quiz/quiz.html.

Natalie P.
Period 3

Nasa uses satellite to uncover

2009-12-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

For over 1000 years, much of the Mayan civilizations have been lost due to the rainforest’s camouflage. This is ironic because one of the main reasons the Maya fell was because of deforestation. On February 15, 2006, scientists Tom Server, and Dan Irwin teamed up with archeologist William Satturno at the Marshall Space and Flight station. The scholars used new infrared technology to virtually see through all of the undergrowth and trees, which were in the range of 60-100 feet tall. After many tests, the results were clear. The men had pinpointed locations in the rainforest that had distinct characteristics that the Maya may have left behind. The most solid evidence was the soil makeup. It was undeniably the Mayan’s signature. The three men were later rewarded for their find, and the world has finally gained more knowledge towards the history of one of the world’s most mysterious early empires in the world.

javascript:openNASAWindow('http://www.nsstc.org/')

Zack S. period 7

GOT IT IN ON TIME MY FAULT FOR NOT GETTING IT ON THE BLOG PROPERLY

ANDY CHUNG

A Sinking Feeling

2009-12-11T22:06:00.000-08:00

Many sunken treasures are still out there at sea waiting to be found, many of them from the days of Columbus when everybody was trying to strike it rich by discovering something, and the ship technology wasn't too reliable. More recent ships have also been sunk as well. The USS Shark was built in the 1820s to combat slavery and its perpetrators, but was sadly sunk after what may have been an attack by the British, or unruly slavers not wanting to give in. This altercation probably arose due to the competing claims for the Pacific Northwest of North America, which both the U.S. and England wanted a part of. This dispute was called the Oregon question, due to its location. Currently however, a piece of this ship, the cannon to be precise, was uncovered by beachcombers after years of being mistaken for a piece of moldy driftwood. This find helped lead archeologists to the dig site, where they uncovered many priceless artifacts and weaponry that lead to explanation of some of the naval culture at the time.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/609_shipwreckcannons.html

Ricky Mackie

Period 5

Secrets of Egypt’s Lost Queen

2009-12-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

Secrets of Egypt’s Lost Queen reveals there has been archaeological evidence indentifying a 3,000-year-old mummy as Egypt’s greatest female hero named Hatshepsut. This finding of this could be extraordinary and it is one of the most important findings in the history of Egypt. Her reign during the eighteenth dynasty was a remarkable one. They still have not confirmed that the 3,000 year-old mummy, is Hatshepsut but they have archaeological and forensic evidence to prove that the 3,000 thousand-year-old mummy is indeed, the pharaoh. To confirm her identity, scientists will compare the mummy’s DNA to the mummies of Hatshepsut’s family. This technique will also be used in the future for Egypt.

Jason Hetland

Period 7

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/quest/lost-queen/program/program.html

Holocaust Trial Still?

2009-12-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

John Demjanjuk is eighty-nine years old and is being accused of being a guard at a Nazi death camp. If he is convicted, he will, most likely, spend the rest of his life in jail. Demjanjuk's case is being held in southern Germany.
His family claims Demjanjuk is seriously ill. However, secret footage shows him getting out of a car without struggle. Therefore, doctors examined him, and declared Demjanjuk was perfectly healthy to go on trial.
He is being charged with helping murder 27,900 Jews and other people at a mass extermination camp, Sobibor. Unfortunately, there are no actual eye-wittiness who saw Demjanjuk at the Sobibor camp because they are all dead. However, there are papers which state that Demjanjuk was a guard at Sobibor in the year 1943, from March to September. Demjanjuk's lawyer says that Demjanjuk was there against his will, so he should not be held accountable. Kurt Gutmann is a co-plaintiff whose mother and brother were murdered, and he says that "all [he] want[s] is for justice to be done."

http://news.discovery.com/history/nazi-guard-holocaust-trial.html

-Kaylee Takigawa
Period 7

Caves of Hell

2009-12-11T09:33:00.000-08:00

According to an ancient Mayan myth, mystical and spiritual do lead dead spirits through a watery path inside of a deep cave, where the spirits would have to endure horrible challenges before resting in the afterlife. Surprisingly a cave was just found, containing a 300 foot, concreted road that ends at a column in front of a body of water. Though this may sound like an odd discovery, it is actually quite often that Mayan caves are found near bodies of water. The cause of this is thought to be because Mayan caves and temples that have been discovered have almost always been associated with sacrifice or death. In the newly discovered caves, reside huge columns of stone sculptures of priests. The legend describes the caves as portals to other realms, including the underworld. In order for spirits to reach the underworld, and finally rest, they had to go through phases of monsters, oozing blood, bats, spiders, and other ferocious obstacles. A Mayan expert at Boston University, named William Saturno, believes that the Mayan “dimension,” portals were built by the Mayans after the myths. Evidence of this is shown through the Mayans efforts to build the portals near bodies of water. Though this is true, the Mayans also built their portals on top of pyramids in the jungle and inside of maze temples. The Caves and portals found by recent Archaeologists have led them to believe that the myths of afterlife were one of the most important parts of Mayan culture.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080822-maya-maze.html

Sheldon W.
Period 3

Lost Inca Gold, Ancient Mystery

2009-12-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

The feeling of desire and anxiousness leads to the discovery of the legendary Inca gold. It is guarded by remote, mist-veiled mountains in central Ecuador. Deep inside the Llanganates Mountain range between the Andes and the Amazon, a fabulous Inca hoard hidden from Spanish conquistadors is said to be hidden. Pizarro made a deal to release Atahualpa in return for a ton of gold, but the Spaniard later changed his mind on the deal. He had the Inca king murdered before the last and largest part of the deal had been delivered. Instead, the gold was buried in a secret mountain cave. And there the legend has remained, daring others to discover it. The hidden guide of those who have tried is Valverde, a Spaniard about 50 years after Atahualpa's death who was known to have become very wealthy after finding the gold thanks to his Indian In laws. When he died, he left written directions to its location, the Derroterro de Valverde. The gold trail was very unclear in the 1850s, when English botanist Richard Spruce traveled to Ecuador to find the cinchona tree, the seeds of which were used to produce the antimalarial drug quinine. When Spruce finally returned to Britain, he reported that he had uncovered Valverde's guide and a related map, made by a man named Atanasio Guzman.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/guides/history/ancient/lost-inca-gold.html

Marvin G.
Period 3

Australia Apologizes to Mistreated British Children

2009-12-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

From 1618 to 1967 over 150,000 British children were taken from their families and shipped to Australia in search of a better life. However, once there they discovered that this good life that they were looking for was a hoax, and all of them were sent to work on plantations and go to schools where often times they were abused physically and sexually. Definitely not what they were expecting to come out of this.
On Monday November 16, 2009, however, the prime minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, made history by apologizing for the mistreatment of these children. There was a ceremony in Canberra, in which the some 7,000 survivors attended to see the 40 year late apology take place.
Although they were making a big deal over their mistreatment, neither the British or Australian governments took any of the blame for themselves. They said “liability lay with state governments and churches that ran the institutions.” This is of course completely wrong, as it was the governments who initially took the children from their families, and put in to these terrible institutions that would flog the kids within an inch of their life.

http://news.discovery.com/history/australia-apologize-british-children.html

Steven M.
Period 3

Will the World End in 2012?

2009-12-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

The Mayans were an advanced society with a very exact calendar that has led people to believe that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012. First of all, the Mayan calendar does not even technically end on that particular date but it does mark when the new cycle of the Mayan calendar begins. So couldn't have the Mayans just decided to stop this particular year because they were getting tired of calculating it all out? Another Mayan myth is that when the world ends it will undergo a pole-shift which would happen due to a large amount of gravitational pull on the Earth. The pole-shift would lead to many disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis that would put an end to world as we know it. Scientists do not believe this will happen but say that a small pole-shift is possible. Other thoughts to how the world will end is after galactic alignment, collision with an unknown planet, and solar storms, but again all are downplayed by scientists. The truth is that the Maya never specifically said anything was even going to happen in 2012 but we, as humans, let fear get to our heads and over exaggerated reality.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091106-2012-end-of-world-myths.html

Elisabeth H.
Period 3

Thought You Were the Only One?

2009-12-11T08:20:00.001-08:00

Believe it or not, nearly 50% Americans are said to have experienced extreme levels of stress. The great deals of stress have been brought upon us through the need to survive, and help provide for others. Although it may seem as if stress levels have been increasing drastically, there is evidence that proves that stress has been existent for quite a long period of time now. Archaeologists have followed though with tests on a body found in Cajamurquilla, Peru. The individual was dated to have lived between 550 A.D. and 1532. We are quite aware that there were only a few written accounts of the ancient people. We may be able to learn about their daily lives and routines, but it is impossible to decipher emotions from a piece of writing. Through the tests that were conducted on the body, more about the emotions of the ancient Peruvians were discovered. Archaeologists and historians were able to receive the first idea of the emotions of the ancient humans with the tests of a sample of hair from the body. In the tests, the hair showed that the ancient Peruvians were under huge amounts of stress. The hair contained high concentrations of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Knowing the rate of hair growth, the amount of cortisol that was present in the hair was easily calculated into finding the levels of stress. This means that people have never been able to escape from the presence of stress. During this individual’s lifetime, they suffered from stress due to the worry of food availability, social and physical threats, weather conditions, safety, and many others. Although there are different reasons behind why people experience stress, it will never withdraw from the existing world. Remember, don't let the stress kill you!

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/ancient-peru-stress-hair-cortisol.html

Janis C.
Period 3

Easter Island Red Hat Mystery Revealed

2009-12-10T23:20:00.000-08:00

Today, a team of British archaeologists believe they have solved the mystery of how the giant stone statues of Easter Island, known as moai, acquired their red hats. This mystery was solved with the discovery of a nearby road on the small island. This road is constructed out of cement made from red scoria dust and has a raised platform along one side. The hats were constructed in a hidden quarry, known as Puna Pau, inside the crater of an ancient volcano. Dr. Sue Hamilton, of University College London, said that “The hat quarry is inside the crater of an ancient volcano and on its outer lip. A third of the crater has been quarried away by hat production”. There is also evidence that the quarry had been used to create statues before it had been used to build the hats. Once they were finished, the hats were rolled down the road either by hand or on top of logs to the current site of the statues. These hats were moved to their current location between 500 and 750 years ago. Once the hats were near the moai, they were lifted up and placed on the heads of the carved human statues. The moai themselves were standing upon large stone platforms that circle the island’s coast. However, we have yet to determine how the red hats, which weighed several tons, were raised and attached to the top of the human figures.

http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/easter-island-red-hats.html

Tyler L.
Period 5

Maya "Painted Pyramid" Reveals 1st Murals of Daily Life

2009-12-10T23:14:00.000-08:00

Mayan Murals depicting a Mayan's daily life have been discovered on the exterior of a Mayan pyramid. The murals show the empire from about 620 to 700 AD. The paintings were discovered in 2004 at the site of Calakmul. This pyramid had many murals of Mayans living their day to day life. Other paintings that have been found of the Mayans are of royalty and other sacred traditions, but these paintings are of a common Mayan's lifestyle. The murals show people of all different social classes. The pictures show what kind of clothes the people wore and the food they ate. These murals show a lot about what food was important to the Mayans and how they prepared it. The painting shows the "salt person" and the "tobacco person" and it also shows people making foods out of corn. These paintings also show the fashions of that time period. These murals are unique because other murals have only been discovered inside the pyramids, but these are painted on the exterior so the public could view them. These murals have been helpful because researchers can see what the Mayan's valued in their culture, and how they survived.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091112-maya-pictures-murals-pyramid-food.html

-Mikaela Y.
Period 5

2012

2009-12-10T23:10:00.000-08:00

Will the world really end in December 2012? Some people seem to think so, basing their claims off of the ancient Mayan calendar. However, not everyone thinks that the world will be affected in a negative way. The world is just to be changed as we know it, but it could be for the good of the human population.

One theory is that, in December 2012, the sun will align with the black hole at the center of the galaxy, and this will throw our entire solar system “off kilter”. This could cause the sun to experience more, and more intense, solar flares, sending a wave of solar particles towards Earth. This could change the direction of the magnetic field of the planet, disrupting all communications, and creating natural disasters worse than ever seen before. However, other’s say good events may happen. When the sun passes through a dark band of the Milky Way called the “Great Rift” and that this will cause us all to “reconnect with our cosmic hearts”.

Many people claim that monuments like Stela 25, a temple, were designed to predict what the sky would look like at the end of the Long Count calendar. However, it has been noted that the northward orientation occurs every year, and would not be specific to just 2012. This is the case with many other theories that link temples and other monuments to the heavens and the end of the long count calendar. So far, no one has found any true evidence that the Mayans predicted the end of the world, and then left a monument to warn us about it.

http://www.archaeology.org/0911/2012/

-Ana S.

Period 5

A Crashed Hellcat Rises Again…From Lake Michigan?

2009-12-10T23:03:00.000-08:00

A F6F-3 Hellcat was recently lifted out of the 250 feet deep waters in Lake Michigan. This is the latest of a series of Navy aircraft recovered from the lake, including a recently discovered SBD Dauntless. The Hellcat was designed as a replacement for the F4F Wildcats which were far inferior to their rival, the Japanese Mitsubishi AM6 Zero. The F6F Hellcat improved on the Wildcat as it provided a much more powerful and maneuverable platform than the aging F4Fs. The pilot of the Hellcat, Lieutenant Walter Elcock, was attempting a practice landing aboard the USS Sable, a steamship converted into a training carrier by the US Navy when it was acquired in 1942, and was later sold for scrap after the end of the war. Elcock stated that while trying to land aboard the carrier during the fairly routine training mission, he lost the lift under his wings and was forced to ditch his plane in the lake. Instances like this are somewhat common while landing aboard an aircraft carrier, especially without fly-by-wire controls available in today’s jets. It is very difficult to land a moving object on another moving object, both of which are going dramatically different speeds. It is most likely that Elcock descended too fast and flared his nose up too much and the Hellcats 2000 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine simply could not sustain the 13,000 lb airplane’s altitude. Lt. Elcock, now 89, survived the crash landing and lives in Atlanta. The plane is destined for substantial restoration as 60 years at the bottom of a lake destroys the instrumentation, corrodes the metal, and most likely affects the plane’s structural integrity, delegating it to the role of a static display at an air museum.

http://news.discovery.com/history/world-war-ii-fighter-plane-recovered.html

-Daniel Q

Period 5