Did you know?

Darwin proposed that Africa was the origin of the human linage in 1871?

Source

Source: The Archaeology of Southern Africa p.39

Hidden Histories: Archaeology & Alcohol!

Sunday Round Up

Sunday Round Up is a post where I highlight all the great articles I read this week, but didn't have time to post about. Most of these articles are Archaeology News from around the world. History, Egyptology and other articles also included.

Some Articles I read:

* The Lost City of the Pyramids
* How Old are the Pyramids?
* Talking Trash Through the Ages
* Whales in the desert: Fossil bonanza poses mystery

Some Websites I found:

* California Academy of Skulls
* Underwater Archeology
* Ancient Egypt Research Associates
* Archaeography Photoblog
* Theban Mapping Project

Funny Friday

Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=198955483517440&set=a.120459478033708.28609.108738502539139&type=1&ref=nf

Aspects of Archaeology: Archaeozoology

Gigantic Crocodile Fossils found in the Big Bend National Park

Source: http://www.taringa.net/posts/ciencia-educacion/5402511/El-depredador-mas-grande.html

"The fossilized remains of gigantic crocodiles have been discovered in the Aguja Formation in the south-central part of the Big Bend National Park. These are among the largest crocodiles ever known.

With lengths of 40-50 feet and jaws studded with 6-inch teeth, these powerful predators were extraordinarily equipped to feed upon a variety of dinosaurs. In fact, dinosaur bones have been found here that are heavily damaged and covered with distinctive crocodile bite marks! Just like modern day crocodilians, Deinosuchus riograndensis probably hunted by ambush...lying submerged near shore, and violently seizing large dinosaurs as they foraged amid the vegetation of Big Bend's ancient swamps.

The magnificent skull of Deinosuchus is on display at the Dallas Museum of Natural History." Source: www.nps.gov/bibe/naturescience/deinosuchus.htm

Mapungubwe Remembered

I recently received a digital flyer that announced the publication of Mapungubwe Remembered and I thought I would share it with my readers as it looks absolutely wonderful!

Unfortunately I can't upload the whole flyer but here is the first half:

(click to enlarge)

Please find the order form:

(click to enlarge)

Mapungubwe Remembered looks amazing and I hope that each of you can get a copy for yourself! 

Source: Digital Flyer

UNISA Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology

The Human Lineage Through Time

I stumbled upon an amazing website called Becoming Human, that has a wonderful interactive timeline of the human lineage through time.

Click here to see it, or on the picture/preview below:

Source: http://www.becominghuman.org/node/human-lineage-through-time

Did You Know?

The largest fertile fossil hominid area in the world between 3.5 – 1.5 million years ago is in South Africa. It is in the Sterkfontein valley near Johannesburg. The 3 sites found here are: Sterkfontein, Kromdraai and Swartkrans.

 Source

Female skull from Swartkrans (SK48)
Sterkfontein Cave Visitor Interpretation Centre, Cradle of Humankind, Gauteng, South Africa

If you want to read more on this subject:

* Link 1
* Link 2

Source: The Archaeology of Southern Africa p.44-45

Funny Friday

Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=195806917165630&set=a.120459478033708.28609.108738502539139&type=1&ref=nf