Cretinism Strikes Back!

Just when you think you’re right, you’re wrong. That’s the beauty of the archaeological and anthropological worlds. Your theory one day, someone else’s the next.
That’s right folks, the new species vs. not a new species debate over the origins of Homo floresiensis has reignited.
CRETINISM STRIKES BACK!

A study from a Western Australian team has re-confirmed that the Flores hominid remains bare the hallmark features of modern humans affected by hypothyroid cretinism.
I know I tend to talk about this a fair bit, but I find it quite interesting, so deal with it. Also, I really don’t think we’re that far away from a “Is not!”/”Is too!” debate. I jest of course.
Professor Oxnard (awesome name) and his team claim that the results of their study confirm that:

the close grouping of H. floresiensis with the hypothyroid cretins, and the clear separation from both modern humans and from chimpanzees…leads them to conclude that the Liang Bua remains were indeed most likely cretins from a population of unaffected H. sapiens.

Oxnard explained that

"Cretinism is caused by various environmental factors including iodine deficiency -- a deficiency which would have been present on Flores at the period to which the dwarfed Flores fossils are dated."

The study has sought further evidence through drawing on modern human populations, arguing that their research is

"...consistent with recent hypothyroid endemic cretinism throughout Indonesia, including the nearby island of Bali,"

Hu – man – i – ty

Definition: 1. Humans considered as a group; the human race.

2. The condition or quality of being human.

3. The quality of being humane; benevolence

4. A humane characteristic, attribute, or act; mercy,

                                                                                         compassion

When we dig into the past to examine human origins, what is often looked for is indications of humanity. It is believed to be a trait uniquely linked to being human, traits which have previously created a barrier between ourselves and animals.

Psychologist Sarah Bronsan of Georgia State University intends to find out whether or not humanely traits can be found in other species. Working with Capuchin Monkeys;

She argues that traits like fairness and curiosity are essential for any social animals to survive and live together.

Capuchin Monkeys are one of the most intelligent new world monkey species, and as such have been extensively studied in the wild, but also in captivity. The species are one of few monkey species which have been documented to make and use tools in the wild. Tools are predominantly made and used to access certain foods, but there have also been documented cases during the mosquito season where Capuchins will crush millipedes and use the remnants as a form of insect repellent.
But what Bronsan wants to examine is the extent of social complexities within the Capuchin species. Conducting a series of experiments aimed at fairness, Bronsan documented how Capuchins reacted when one individual was given a slice of healthy cucumber, while another was given a scrumptious grape. While both monkeys received the cucumber treat, no problems were observed. However, when one individual was given a grape instead, the other monkey reacted as many of us would if we found out our colleague was getting a $5000 bonus for performing the same tasks. In other words, the monkey went apeshit!

Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.

But similar reactions have been demonstrated in the past. Check out this clip, where a Capuchin gets cheated in a game of blackjack.

Many animals have a sense of fairness. My two dogs for instance. Anyone with two dogs will surely be able to tell you that you can’t give one a piece of carrot, while giving the other a nice juicy steak. Riots ensue.
Of course there is still the argument of how being in captivity has influenced the behaviour of the Capuchins in this study. But undoubtedly, Bronsan and many others have shown that animals do share some of the same complex social rules as humans. The extent of which these social rules and humanely traits overlap, will likely be examined more thoroughly in the future.

Robot Tomb Raider

Just when you thought the only way Robots and Ancient History could intertwine would be in an episode of Stargate or Doctor Who, in walks a team from Leeds University to save the day!

A team of technicians from Leeds University in England have spent the last five years developing the “Djedi Project”. A venture which involves the use of robotics to unlock the engineering secrets to one of the worlds Ancient Wonders, the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The mission: to explore and determine the purpose of the two airshafts that lead from the Queen’s chamber in the great pyramid.


Previous examination of the airshafts have shown that they do not lead to the outer surface of the pyramid…Which many people thought a tad strange considering they were labelled as “airshafts”. Earlier missions in the 1990’s found that the southern shaft was blocked after 60m by a limestone door with copper handles. In 2002, a team succeeded in drilling through this door, only to find another door 20cm behind the one they’d just gone through. It was at this point that some experts started tearing their hair out in frustration, while others were left stunned and intrigued.


Zahi Hawass, Egyptologist and current Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, believes that

"With the help of the Djedi team, we hope to uncover the meaning of these airshafts by drilling through the doors that are blocking them……The team is hoping to gather as much evidence as possible to try to piece together the purpose of the airshafts, while at the same time ensuring that the Great Pyramid is not damaged in any way."

It is a pretty spiffy robot too I might add. Equipped with a micro snake camera; a mini ultrasonic device to determine the thickness and condition of stone walls; a mini beetle robot to explore more confined spaces; a precision compass; an inclinometer; and a Coring drill.


The only things missing are a laser and a computerised voice that shouts “excavate!” when the robot drills through the stone walls of the shaft.

But in all seriousness, this project isn’t just an excuse for a bunch of geeks and nerds to get together and have a party in the great pyramid. Experts believe that the project will help to answer questions about the remarkable engineering behind one of the most monumental structures of the Ancient World.

Dr Robert Richardson of Leeds University admits

"We have no preconceptions. We are trying to gain evidence for other people to draw conclusions…..We are preparing the robot now and expect to send it up before the end of the year. It's a big question, and it's very important not to cause unnecessary damage.”

I don’t know about you, but I for one will be following this study…mainly because I think robots are cool…and that a robot exploring the pyramids is so cool its subzero. But seriously, what if the great pyramid comes tumbling down like a load of bricks (excuse the pun) because of a beetle sized robot? Somehow I don’t think “Oops, my bad” will cover you for the total destruction of one of the most famous wonders of the world.


However, I don’t think the Pyramid will be in any real danger. Why? I’m glad you asked.
Reason 1: HAWASS
There is no way this project and others like it would go through if Hawass thought it was going to damage the pyramid. Hawass makes a solid living off Egyptian cultural heritage and let’s face it, he’s hardly going to shoot himself in the foot now is he? And the project is five years in the making. It cannot possibly take 5 years to make a robot. I'd say a good three of those years where taken up by risk assessment reports and other red tape matters.


Reason 2: MECHANICAL ENGINEERS = SMART
Well you would hope so wouldn’t you? Especially considering how much faith we have in them in other areas of life.


Reason 3: ALIENS DID NOT BUILD THE PYRAMIDSNot that this contributes to the issue at hand, I just thought I should mention it.

 
 
 
 
Check out these for more information:
 
http://www.drhawass.com/blog/djedi-team-robot
 
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/robot-to-explore-mysterious-tunnels-in-great-pyramid-2046506.html
 
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20013217-1.html

So.....

It’s been almost a year since my last blog…I know, I know, more than a little bit slack on my behalf, but let me explain…



Ahem,


You see, there comes a time in one’s life, when life as you know it changes. We’ve all had that moment, the one where we feel like Alice, tumbling down the rabbit hole, expecting to wake up at any moment.


Only then to be taken by a group of suspect characters to a dishevelled apartment block, where a man clad in black leather offers you the choice between the blue pill and the red pill. A choice to remain trapped or to free your mind and become the one!.....


Okay, yes that is The Matrix. And no, I don’t really have a good excuse for my absence from the blogosphere. So what was I doing for almost 12 months you ask?

WELL! Nothing too exceptional (that would be in conflict with the title of this blog), I went travelling for a while, I studied, I got a new job, I partied, I did a lot of ordinary things like washing and ironing and eating and drinking, and I read some books. Like I said, pretty pathetic excuse right?


But I have returned! Like a Jedi, or something equally as awesome.*


And to mark my return, I have given the blog a bit of a renovation, just to give myself a bit of fresh start I guess. So welcome back to the unfortunate few silly enough to stumble across my little outbursts of crazy and sometimes nonsensical rants about nothing in particular. I would like to offer you all something amazing to come, but if we’re being honest….


Well its just going to be more of the same really. So if you like it, THANKS! And keep reading. If not, well, tough luck I guess. But if you don’t like it, why the hell have you come back for more? You really must be a sucker for punishment.

I mean seriously, of all the crappy blogs you could read, why come back to mine? Masochist much? You should probably see someone about that.




*Yes, Jedi = awesome, not nerdy or geeky, just awesome.