Crossing the Atlantic in a Reed Boat

To my knowledge, the idea was first tested and publicized by Norwegian scientist and adventurer Thor Heyerdahl (see his book, Kon-Tiki). The theory - that ancient peoples could have traveled by boat back-and-forth from Africa to South America for trade and possibly migration.


A German scientist is about to make the latest attempt at such a crossing. Read about it from The Jersey Journal.

Otzi's Cause of Death

It has been determined that Otzi, the Neolithic mummy discovered in the Alps in 1991, died from a lesion to an artery near the shoulder caused by an arrowhead. Essentially, he bled to death.

The determination was made by use of a CT scan, and the work was detailed in the Journal of Archaeological Science. More information will also appear in the July issue of National Geographic Magazine.

For some cool info on Otzi, including his last meal, please see this page from PBS.

Ancient Anchor Discovered

See press release below...

The world's oldest wooden anchor was discovered during excavations in the Turkish port city of Urla, the ancient site of Liman Tepe -- the Greek 1st Millennium BCE colony of Klazomenai, by researchers from the Leon Recanati Institute for Maritime Studies of the University of Haifa. The anchor, from the end of the 7th century BC, was found near a submerged construction, imbedded approximately.1.5 meters underground.