Jack Corbo was a Molecular Biologist and a 2000 Maya Mountains Archaeological Project expedition member to the Bladen Nature Reserve, Toledo,District, Belize
This document discusses Late Postclassic Maya ritual use of sacred caves and miniature masonry shrines in the Yucatan Peninsula. It describes excavations at the El Naranjal archaeological site that uncovered shrine complexes and artifacts associated with cave-related rituals and agricultural fertility rites, including speleothems (cave formations), ceramic censers, shells, beads, and figurines. Specifically, speleothems were found in ritual deposits near shrines, indicating they were part of ceremonies to venerate ancestors and deities associated with caves, water, and rain that ensured agricultural success.
Tell El-Hibeh Limestone: Ancient and Modern Egyptian Quarrying Technology wit...CrimsonPublishersAAOA
Limestone and its interbedded marl deposits form an economic resource that was utilized at El-Hibeh, ancient Teudjoi/Ankyrononpolis, a tell mound in middle Egypt. The archaeological site contains the small Amun temple, at least two limestone (packstone) quarries, statues, sarcophagus lids and bases, limestone (packstone) construction blocks with and without relief, and major mudbrick structures. The temple blocks are made from a local packstone-limestone that has been saturated by Nile River water and is deteriorating at a rapid pace. The limestone at El-Hibeh is a packstone. Several packstone quarries occur in the archaeological site. One appears to be of recent vintage and was mined using modern drilling and blasting techniques. Another is an ancient quarry that utilized natural sedimentary and structural features of the packstone-marl deposits to manufacture blocks for various utilitarian purposes.
For more open access journals in Crimson Publishers please click on link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/
For more articles in open access Archaeology journals please click on link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/aaoa/
Archaeologists surveyed four islands in Fiji and identified 10 archaeological sites. Excavations at three sites uncovered Lapita pottery dating to around 3000 years ago, as well as later ceramic artifacts. This provides evidence that the islands were inhabited relatively late compared to other parts of Fiji, but still participated in regional cultural interactions. Defensive sites found also suggest competition between human groups intensified after an initial period of widespread cultural transmission.
This document introduces the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP), which collected about 2 km of sediment drill core from six basins in Kenya and Ethiopia near important fossil and archaeological sites to better understand the environmental context of human evolution in eastern Africa. The cores cover many key intervals in human history over the past 4 million years. The project aims to address gaps in understanding the role of climate change by obtaining high-quality sedimentary records immediately adjacent to where hominin fossils were found, in order to date fossils and place them within a paleoenvironmental context. The cores will provide new insights into debates around factors influencing regional African climate and ecosystem dynamics during the Plio-Pleist
The document discusses the formation of fossils. It states that in order to become a fossil, an organism must die in the right place (usually buried in sediment) and its remains must become mineralized through replacement of organic material by dissolved minerals over time. Only a tiny fraction of one percent of organisms become fossilized, and the fossil record is heavily skewed towards marine creatures. Several key events in the history of life in Southern Africa are also outlined, including some of the earliest fossil evidence of life and important transitional fossils.
The document discusses several key aspects of life and its origins:
1) It defines some key properties of life including order, reproduction, growth and development, energy utilization, homeostasis, and evolutionary adaptation.
2) It discusses early theories on the origins of life from the 19th century idea of supernatural creation to 20th century ideas of natural spontaneous generation and chemical evolution.
3) It outlines several theories proposed by scientists to explain the chemical evolution of life on Earth, including panspermia, RNA world, and environments like deep sea vents that could have supported early life.
This document summarizes the current understanding of the assembly and break-up of the late Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia based on geological, geochronological, and paleomagnetic evidence. Key points include:
- Rodinia assembled between 1300-900 Ma through worldwide orogenic events involving nearly all continental blocks. It lasted around 150 million years before breaking up.
- Laurentia is considered the core of Rodinia, with other continents proposed to have been located along its margins. However, the configurations of these continental connections remain controversial.
- The break-up of Rodinia occurred diachronously between ca. 825-740 Ma, associated with episodic mantle plume events
This document discusses Late Postclassic Maya ritual use of sacred caves and miniature masonry shrines in the Yucatan Peninsula. It describes excavations at the El Naranjal archaeological site that uncovered shrine complexes and artifacts associated with cave-related rituals and agricultural fertility rites, including speleothems (cave formations), ceramic censers, shells, beads, and figurines. Specifically, speleothems were found in ritual deposits near shrines, indicating they were part of ceremonies to venerate ancestors and deities associated with caves, water, and rain that ensured agricultural success.
Tell El-Hibeh Limestone: Ancient and Modern Egyptian Quarrying Technology wit...CrimsonPublishersAAOA
Limestone and its interbedded marl deposits form an economic resource that was utilized at El-Hibeh, ancient Teudjoi/Ankyrononpolis, a tell mound in middle Egypt. The archaeological site contains the small Amun temple, at least two limestone (packstone) quarries, statues, sarcophagus lids and bases, limestone (packstone) construction blocks with and without relief, and major mudbrick structures. The temple blocks are made from a local packstone-limestone that has been saturated by Nile River water and is deteriorating at a rapid pace. The limestone at El-Hibeh is a packstone. Several packstone quarries occur in the archaeological site. One appears to be of recent vintage and was mined using modern drilling and blasting techniques. Another is an ancient quarry that utilized natural sedimentary and structural features of the packstone-marl deposits to manufacture blocks for various utilitarian purposes.
For more open access journals in Crimson Publishers please click on link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/
For more articles in open access Archaeology journals please click on link: https://crimsonpublishers.com/aaoa/
Archaeologists surveyed four islands in Fiji and identified 10 archaeological sites. Excavations at three sites uncovered Lapita pottery dating to around 3000 years ago, as well as later ceramic artifacts. This provides evidence that the islands were inhabited relatively late compared to other parts of Fiji, but still participated in regional cultural interactions. Defensive sites found also suggest competition between human groups intensified after an initial period of widespread cultural transmission.
This document introduces the Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP), which collected about 2 km of sediment drill core from six basins in Kenya and Ethiopia near important fossil and archaeological sites to better understand the environmental context of human evolution in eastern Africa. The cores cover many key intervals in human history over the past 4 million years. The project aims to address gaps in understanding the role of climate change by obtaining high-quality sedimentary records immediately adjacent to where hominin fossils were found, in order to date fossils and place them within a paleoenvironmental context. The cores will provide new insights into debates around factors influencing regional African climate and ecosystem dynamics during the Plio-Pleist
The document discusses the formation of fossils. It states that in order to become a fossil, an organism must die in the right place (usually buried in sediment) and its remains must become mineralized through replacement of organic material by dissolved minerals over time. Only a tiny fraction of one percent of organisms become fossilized, and the fossil record is heavily skewed towards marine creatures. Several key events in the history of life in Southern Africa are also outlined, including some of the earliest fossil evidence of life and important transitional fossils.
The document discusses several key aspects of life and its origins:
1) It defines some key properties of life including order, reproduction, growth and development, energy utilization, homeostasis, and evolutionary adaptation.
2) It discusses early theories on the origins of life from the 19th century idea of supernatural creation to 20th century ideas of natural spontaneous generation and chemical evolution.
3) It outlines several theories proposed by scientists to explain the chemical evolution of life on Earth, including panspermia, RNA world, and environments like deep sea vents that could have supported early life.
This document summarizes the current understanding of the assembly and break-up of the late Neoproterozoic supercontinent Rodinia based on geological, geochronological, and paleomagnetic evidence. Key points include:
- Rodinia assembled between 1300-900 Ma through worldwide orogenic events involving nearly all continental blocks. It lasted around 150 million years before breaking up.
- Laurentia is considered the core of Rodinia, with other continents proposed to have been located along its margins. However, the configurations of these continental connections remain controversial.
- The break-up of Rodinia occurred diachronously between ca. 825-740 Ma, associated with episodic mantle plume events
This document provides an overview of the history of life on Earth from its beginnings over 4.5 billion years ago to the present. It describes how the early Earth formed and cooled, allowing for the emergence of the first life forms like bacteria in the Precambrian era. The Cambrian explosion saw the first major diversification of multicellular life, including in the seas. Subsequent eras like the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic witnessed further evolution and radiation of life on land and sea, including plants, insects, dinosaurs, mammals, and eventually humans. Mass extinctions periodically wiped out much life, paving the way for new species to evolve and fill ecological niches.
Biology - Chp 17 - History Of Life - PowerPointMr. Walajtys
This chapter discusses the history of life on Earth based on evidence from the fossil record. It covers how fossils are formed and dated, as well as how paleontologists interpret and classify fossils to understand past life forms and environments. The fossil record shows that life has changed over time, with more than 99% of all species becoming extinct. It also reveals patterns of evolution such as extinction events, adaptive radiation, convergent and coevolution. The chapter discusses theories of punctuated equilibrium and the role of developmental genes in transformations of body plans over long periods of evolutionary time.
1. The document discusses several theories regarding the age of the Earth, including that some scientists believe it is approximately 4.6 billion years old based on evidence from fossils and geology, while some creationists believe it is only around 10,000 years old based on historical documents and some scientific evidence.
2. The document also discusses theories of how life on Earth originated, such as the primordial soup theory that early Earth's atmosphere allowed organic molecules to form, and the endosymbiont theory that early cells incorporated aerobic bacteria in a symbiotic relationship.
3. Determining the age of the Earth and theories of the origin of life involve assumptions and can never be proven absolutely, as scientists with different beliefs
a) Engravings found on 500,000 year old seashells in Indonesia provide evidence that Homo erectus was capable of symbolic thought, suggesting human culture developed over a long period of time.
b) Recent studies help explain how injecting old mice with young blood can reverse cognitive decline by elucidating the mechanism responsible for rejuvenation.
c) The discovery of Kepler-186f, the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of its star, provides evidence that places similar to Earth exist elsewhere in the universe.
The document discusses methods that scientists use to determine the age of the Earth. It explains that radiometric dating is used to measure the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals to estimate their age. While this provides a means to directly date some igneous rocks, most rocks cannot be directly dated and must be bracketed between dated materials. The document reviews several examples of dated rocks and materials. Though radiometric dating provides a framework, determining the exact age of the Earth remains an ongoing effort as techniques are refined.
The document summarizes the history of life on Earth from its beginnings around 4 billion years ago to the present. It describes how life first emerged on Earth through natural chemical and physical processes, with the earliest life forms being microspheres composed of amino acids and RNA. These eventually developed into the first prokaryotic cells through self-replication of their RNA. Further evolution led to eukaryotic cells through endosymbiosis, and complex multicellular organisms developed over time, with major diversifications and several mass extinction events altering life on the planet.
Earth System History, Timeline of Earth Events, Geologic History Earth Scienc...www.sciencepowerpoint.com
This PowerPoint is one small part of the Geology Topics unit from www.sciencepowerpoint.com. This unit consists of a five part 6000+ slide PowerPoint roadmap, 14 page bundled homework package, modified homework, detailed answer keys, 12 pages of unit notes for students who may require assistance, follow along worksheets, and many review games. The homework and lesson notes chronologically follow the PowerPoint slideshow. The answer keys and unit notes are great for support professionals. The activities and discussion questions in the slideshow are meaningful. The PowerPoint includes built-in instructions, visuals, and review questions. Also included are critical class notes (color coded red), project ideas, video links, and review games. This unit also includes four PowerPoint review games (110+ slides each with Answers), 38+ video links, lab handouts, activity sheets, rubrics, materials list, templates, guides, 6 PowerPoint review Game, and much more. Also included is a 190 slide first day of school PowerPoint presentation.
Areas of Focus within The Geology Topics Unit: -Plate Tectonics, Evidence for Plate Tectonics, Pangea, Energy Waves, Layers of the Earth, Heat Transfer, Types of Crust, Plate Boundaries, Hot Spots, Volcanoes, Positives and Negatives of Volcanoes, Types of Volcanoes, Parts of a Volcano, Magma, Types of Lava, Viscosity, Earthquakes, Faults, Folds, Seismograph, Richter Scale, Seismograph, Tsunami's, Rocks, Minerals, Crystals, Uses of Minerals, Types of Crystals, Physical Properties of Minerals, Rock Cycle, Common Igneous Rocks, Common Sedimentary Rocks, Common Metamorphic Rocks.
This unit aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and with Common Core Standards for ELA and Literacy for Science and Technical Subjects. See preview for more information
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thanks again and best wishes. Sincerely, Ryan Murphy M.Ed www.sciencepowerpoint@gmail.com
The document describes the conditions on early Earth that enabled the origin of life and the key events in the evolution of life over billions of years. It explains that the early atmosphere differed from today's and was conducive to the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules. The earliest evidence of life comes from 3.5-billion-year-old fossils, and life may have originated as early as 3.9 billion years ago. Major events included the emergence of single-celled and then multicellular organisms, and plants and fungi colonizing land around 500 million years ago. Continental drift also played a role in shaping the diversity of life.
The document discusses the origin of life on Earth. It describes early theories of spontaneous generation and biogenesis. Experiments by Pasteur and others supported biogenesis. Early Earth likely had a primordial soup where simple organic molecules formed from inorganic compounds, as shown by the Miller-Urey experiment. These molecules could have led to the formation of proteins on clay particles and early genetic material like RNA. Archaea may have been Earth's first cells. Later, photosynthesizing cyanobacteria evolved and enriched the atmosphere with oxygen. The endosymbiont theory explains how eukaryotic cells developed from prokaryotic cells living together.
A shaman's burial was excavated from a cave in Belize. The remains of a male were found sealed behind a stone wall in a remote cave over 15km from any settlements. Grave goods included ceramic vessels, a wooden stool, beads, and cacao seeds. Analysis suggests the individual was a religious specialist or shaman based on the location of burial in a sacred cave setting and goods appropriate for the afterlife. The cave and burial context provide insights into ancient Maya religious beliefs and the role of shamans in Maya society.
The document summarizes the history of life on Earth based on evidence from the fossil record. It describes how early Earth's atmosphere allowed for the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules around 4 billion years ago. The earliest life forms were single-celled prokaryotes that formed around 3.5 billion years ago. Oxygen began accumulating in the atmosphere around 2.7 billion years ago due to cyanobacteria. Eukaryotic cells developed around 2.1 billion years ago through endosymbiosis. Multicellular life emerged around 1.5 billion years ago. The Cambrian explosion saw a rapid diversification of life around 535 million years ago. Plants and fungi first colonized land around 500 million years ago
The document provides information about the history of life on Earth. It discusses how the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and life emerged around 3.5 billion years ago. It then describes the geologic time scale which divides Earth's history into eons, eras, periods, and epochs based on fossil and rock evidence. Examples are given of different types of fossils like molds, casts, and trace fossils. Methods of relative and absolute dating using principles like superposition and radiometric dating are also summarized to help establish the age of fossils within the geologic timescale.
The document discusses the history of life on Earth. It states that there are approximately 4 million different forms of life, the Earth is around 4.6 billion years old, and conditions on the early Earth were very different with no oxygen and different atmospheric gases. It also mentions that the first living things appeared over 3 billion years ago in the oceans as single-celled organisms, and that reproduction and evolution have allowed life forms to change over time according to the fossil record.
The document discusses the history of life on Earth through fossils and the geologic time scale. It describes how fossils provide evidence of past life and how scientists use relative and absolute dating to determine the age of fossils. The geologic time scale divides Earth's history into eras characterized by dominant organisms, including the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. Mass extinctions periodically wiped out many species, possibly due to meteor impacts or volcanic activity. Plate tectonics caused the continents to move over time.
The Oparin-Haldane theory proposed that organic evolution began when simple organic compounds formed in the primordial oceans and aggregated into coacervates - self-replicating droplets surrounded by membranes. These coacervates were the first living cells, which evolved over time into more complex life forms including monerans, protistans, fungi, plants and animals as the early Earth cooled and chemical reactions became possible in the reducing atmosphere.
This document provides an overview of evolution on Earth from the earliest life forms to present day. It describes the major eras and events in life's history, including the earliest bacteria and multicellular organisms, the Cambrian explosion of diversification, the rise of plants and animals through the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, several mass extinction events, and the radiation and dominance of mammals and modern species. The timeline spans from 4.5 billion years ago to the most recent ice age around 18,000 years ago.
- Early theories proposed that life arose spontaneously from non-living matter, but experiments disproved this. Miller and Urey's experiment showed that amino acids could form from simple gases on the early Earth. Sidney Fox produced early cell-like structures called protocells and microspheres in experiments. Endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as internalized prokaryotes. Early life on Earth was likely anaerobic prokaryotic heterotrophs that evolved into autotrophs as organic compounds became scarce. Archaebacteria and cyanobacteria-like organisms were early photosynthetic life forms.
The document provides an overview of a course on Earth science and the universe. It includes 12 lessons covering topics like mapping the seafloor, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, the origin of the universe, the solar system, what we are made of, the extinction of dinosaurs, and whether life exists elsewhere. The first lesson introduces concepts of time, space, the structure of Earth, and the rock cycle. Subsequent lessons will explore these topics in more depth.
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the UniverseBruce Damer
Dr. Bruce Damer presents a talk linking the new "Hot Spring Hypothesis" for the origin of life to the search for life in our Solar System and beyond on exoplanets. His host, the renowned physicist and activist Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, hosted this talk at the Physics department auditorium at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad , Pakistan. Dr. Bruce “inflamed the minds” of Pakistani students and professors alike as he took them on a rapid romp through life’s possible origins on Earth to the search for evidence for life on Mars in 2020, icy Enceladus in the next decade and onward to the likelihood of life on exoplanets. Dr. Bruce Damer and Prof. Pervez Hoodbhoy (presenters), Elixir Technologies Pakistan (recording and support). [presented 17 November 2017]. Find a podcast with audio, video and additional information about this presentation at: http://www.levityzone.org/lz-episode-059-origins-science-comes-pakistan/
The beginning of metallurgy in the southern Levant: a late 6th Millennium Cal...José Luis Moreno Garvayo
Arqueólogos e investigadores de la Universidad de Haifa, de la Universidad Hebrea de Jerusalén y del Instituto Arqueológico Alemán de Berlín han publicado el hallazgo del objeto de metal más antiguo recuperado en Oriente Medio: se trata de un punzón de cobre datado hacia finales del sexto milenio o principios del quinto milenio antes de Cristo
Chapple, R. M. 2012 'Archaeological Excavations at Tullahedy County Tipperary...Robert M Chapple
This document provides a review and summary of the book "Archaeological Excavations at Tullahedy County Tipperary. Neolithic Settlement in North Munster: Review" by Rose M. Cleary & Hilary Kelleher.
The book presents extensive data from excavations at the Tullahedy archaeological site in County Tipperary, Ireland. It details five phases of activity at the site from the Neolithic period through the medieval period. Notably, it describes three Neolithic houses and over 250 pits containing stone tools, axe heads, and cereal remains. Radiocarbon dating indicates the Neolithic occupation lasted from around 3670-3460 BC. The publication provides a valuable resource of data
The document summarizes archaeological research on the Thornborough Henges ritual monument complex in North Yorkshire, England. It describes the layout and features of the site, including three large henge monuments arranged in a straight line across a gravel plateau. Archaeological investigations aimed to determine the chronology and role of the site in the surrounding Neolithic landscape. Surface surveys found lower artifact densities near the henges, suggesting the area was kept clear, while distant scatters implied temporary occupation when visiting the ritual center.
This document provides an overview of the history of life on Earth from its beginnings over 4.5 billion years ago to the present. It describes how the early Earth formed and cooled, allowing for the emergence of the first life forms like bacteria in the Precambrian era. The Cambrian explosion saw the first major diversification of multicellular life, including in the seas. Subsequent eras like the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic witnessed further evolution and radiation of life on land and sea, including plants, insects, dinosaurs, mammals, and eventually humans. Mass extinctions periodically wiped out much life, paving the way for new species to evolve and fill ecological niches.
Biology - Chp 17 - History Of Life - PowerPointMr. Walajtys
This chapter discusses the history of life on Earth based on evidence from the fossil record. It covers how fossils are formed and dated, as well as how paleontologists interpret and classify fossils to understand past life forms and environments. The fossil record shows that life has changed over time, with more than 99% of all species becoming extinct. It also reveals patterns of evolution such as extinction events, adaptive radiation, convergent and coevolution. The chapter discusses theories of punctuated equilibrium and the role of developmental genes in transformations of body plans over long periods of evolutionary time.
1. The document discusses several theories regarding the age of the Earth, including that some scientists believe it is approximately 4.6 billion years old based on evidence from fossils and geology, while some creationists believe it is only around 10,000 years old based on historical documents and some scientific evidence.
2. The document also discusses theories of how life on Earth originated, such as the primordial soup theory that early Earth's atmosphere allowed organic molecules to form, and the endosymbiont theory that early cells incorporated aerobic bacteria in a symbiotic relationship.
3. Determining the age of the Earth and theories of the origin of life involve assumptions and can never be proven absolutely, as scientists with different beliefs
a) Engravings found on 500,000 year old seashells in Indonesia provide evidence that Homo erectus was capable of symbolic thought, suggesting human culture developed over a long period of time.
b) Recent studies help explain how injecting old mice with young blood can reverse cognitive decline by elucidating the mechanism responsible for rejuvenation.
c) The discovery of Kepler-186f, the first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of its star, provides evidence that places similar to Earth exist elsewhere in the universe.
The document discusses methods that scientists use to determine the age of the Earth. It explains that radiometric dating is used to measure the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks and minerals to estimate their age. While this provides a means to directly date some igneous rocks, most rocks cannot be directly dated and must be bracketed between dated materials. The document reviews several examples of dated rocks and materials. Though radiometric dating provides a framework, determining the exact age of the Earth remains an ongoing effort as techniques are refined.
The document summarizes the history of life on Earth from its beginnings around 4 billion years ago to the present. It describes how life first emerged on Earth through natural chemical and physical processes, with the earliest life forms being microspheres composed of amino acids and RNA. These eventually developed into the first prokaryotic cells through self-replication of their RNA. Further evolution led to eukaryotic cells through endosymbiosis, and complex multicellular organisms developed over time, with major diversifications and several mass extinction events altering life on the planet.
Earth System History, Timeline of Earth Events, Geologic History Earth Scienc...www.sciencepowerpoint.com
This PowerPoint is one small part of the Geology Topics unit from www.sciencepowerpoint.com. This unit consists of a five part 6000+ slide PowerPoint roadmap, 14 page bundled homework package, modified homework, detailed answer keys, 12 pages of unit notes for students who may require assistance, follow along worksheets, and many review games. The homework and lesson notes chronologically follow the PowerPoint slideshow. The answer keys and unit notes are great for support professionals. The activities and discussion questions in the slideshow are meaningful. The PowerPoint includes built-in instructions, visuals, and review questions. Also included are critical class notes (color coded red), project ideas, video links, and review games. This unit also includes four PowerPoint review games (110+ slides each with Answers), 38+ video links, lab handouts, activity sheets, rubrics, materials list, templates, guides, 6 PowerPoint review Game, and much more. Also included is a 190 slide first day of school PowerPoint presentation.
Areas of Focus within The Geology Topics Unit: -Plate Tectonics, Evidence for Plate Tectonics, Pangea, Energy Waves, Layers of the Earth, Heat Transfer, Types of Crust, Plate Boundaries, Hot Spots, Volcanoes, Positives and Negatives of Volcanoes, Types of Volcanoes, Parts of a Volcano, Magma, Types of Lava, Viscosity, Earthquakes, Faults, Folds, Seismograph, Richter Scale, Seismograph, Tsunami's, Rocks, Minerals, Crystals, Uses of Minerals, Types of Crystals, Physical Properties of Minerals, Rock Cycle, Common Igneous Rocks, Common Sedimentary Rocks, Common Metamorphic Rocks.
This unit aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards and with Common Core Standards for ELA and Literacy for Science and Technical Subjects. See preview for more information
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Thanks again and best wishes. Sincerely, Ryan Murphy M.Ed www.sciencepowerpoint@gmail.com
The document describes the conditions on early Earth that enabled the origin of life and the key events in the evolution of life over billions of years. It explains that the early atmosphere differed from today's and was conducive to the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules. The earliest evidence of life comes from 3.5-billion-year-old fossils, and life may have originated as early as 3.9 billion years ago. Major events included the emergence of single-celled and then multicellular organisms, and plants and fungi colonizing land around 500 million years ago. Continental drift also played a role in shaping the diversity of life.
The document discusses the origin of life on Earth. It describes early theories of spontaneous generation and biogenesis. Experiments by Pasteur and others supported biogenesis. Early Earth likely had a primordial soup where simple organic molecules formed from inorganic compounds, as shown by the Miller-Urey experiment. These molecules could have led to the formation of proteins on clay particles and early genetic material like RNA. Archaea may have been Earth's first cells. Later, photosynthesizing cyanobacteria evolved and enriched the atmosphere with oxygen. The endosymbiont theory explains how eukaryotic cells developed from prokaryotic cells living together.
A shaman's burial was excavated from a cave in Belize. The remains of a male were found sealed behind a stone wall in a remote cave over 15km from any settlements. Grave goods included ceramic vessels, a wooden stool, beads, and cacao seeds. Analysis suggests the individual was a religious specialist or shaman based on the location of burial in a sacred cave setting and goods appropriate for the afterlife. The cave and burial context provide insights into ancient Maya religious beliefs and the role of shamans in Maya society.
The document summarizes the history of life on Earth based on evidence from the fossil record. It describes how early Earth's atmosphere allowed for the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules around 4 billion years ago. The earliest life forms were single-celled prokaryotes that formed around 3.5 billion years ago. Oxygen began accumulating in the atmosphere around 2.7 billion years ago due to cyanobacteria. Eukaryotic cells developed around 2.1 billion years ago through endosymbiosis. Multicellular life emerged around 1.5 billion years ago. The Cambrian explosion saw a rapid diversification of life around 535 million years ago. Plants and fungi first colonized land around 500 million years ago
The document provides information about the history of life on Earth. It discusses how the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and life emerged around 3.5 billion years ago. It then describes the geologic time scale which divides Earth's history into eons, eras, periods, and epochs based on fossil and rock evidence. Examples are given of different types of fossils like molds, casts, and trace fossils. Methods of relative and absolute dating using principles like superposition and radiometric dating are also summarized to help establish the age of fossils within the geologic timescale.
The document discusses the history of life on Earth. It states that there are approximately 4 million different forms of life, the Earth is around 4.6 billion years old, and conditions on the early Earth were very different with no oxygen and different atmospheric gases. It also mentions that the first living things appeared over 3 billion years ago in the oceans as single-celled organisms, and that reproduction and evolution have allowed life forms to change over time according to the fossil record.
The document discusses the history of life on Earth through fossils and the geologic time scale. It describes how fossils provide evidence of past life and how scientists use relative and absolute dating to determine the age of fossils. The geologic time scale divides Earth's history into eras characterized by dominant organisms, including the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. Mass extinctions periodically wiped out many species, possibly due to meteor impacts or volcanic activity. Plate tectonics caused the continents to move over time.
The Oparin-Haldane theory proposed that organic evolution began when simple organic compounds formed in the primordial oceans and aggregated into coacervates - self-replicating droplets surrounded by membranes. These coacervates were the first living cells, which evolved over time into more complex life forms including monerans, protistans, fungi, plants and animals as the early Earth cooled and chemical reactions became possible in the reducing atmosphere.
This document provides an overview of evolution on Earth from the earliest life forms to present day. It describes the major eras and events in life's history, including the earliest bacteria and multicellular organisms, the Cambrian explosion of diversification, the rise of plants and animals through the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras, several mass extinction events, and the radiation and dominance of mammals and modern species. The timeline spans from 4.5 billion years ago to the most recent ice age around 18,000 years ago.
- Early theories proposed that life arose spontaneously from non-living matter, but experiments disproved this. Miller and Urey's experiment showed that amino acids could form from simple gases on the early Earth. Sidney Fox produced early cell-like structures called protocells and microspheres in experiments. Endosymbiotic theory proposes that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as internalized prokaryotes. Early life on Earth was likely anaerobic prokaryotic heterotrophs that evolved into autotrophs as organic compounds became scarce. Archaebacteria and cyanobacteria-like organisms were early photosynthetic life forms.
The document provides an overview of a course on Earth science and the universe. It includes 12 lessons covering topics like mapping the seafloor, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, the origin of the universe, the solar system, what we are made of, the extinction of dinosaurs, and whether life exists elsewhere. The first lesson introduces concepts of time, space, the structure of Earth, and the rock cycle. Subsequent lessons will explore these topics in more depth.
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the UniverseBruce Damer
Dr. Bruce Damer presents a talk linking the new "Hot Spring Hypothesis" for the origin of life to the search for life in our Solar System and beyond on exoplanets. His host, the renowned physicist and activist Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, hosted this talk at the Physics department auditorium at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad , Pakistan. Dr. Bruce “inflamed the minds” of Pakistani students and professors alike as he took them on a rapid romp through life’s possible origins on Earth to the search for evidence for life on Mars in 2020, icy Enceladus in the next decade and onward to the likelihood of life on exoplanets. Dr. Bruce Damer and Prof. Pervez Hoodbhoy (presenters), Elixir Technologies Pakistan (recording and support). [presented 17 November 2017]. Find a podcast with audio, video and additional information about this presentation at: http://www.levityzone.org/lz-episode-059-origins-science-comes-pakistan/
The beginning of metallurgy in the southern Levant: a late 6th Millennium Cal...José Luis Moreno Garvayo
Arqueólogos e investigadores de la Universidad de Haifa, de la Universidad Hebrea de Jerusalén y del Instituto Arqueológico Alemán de Berlín han publicado el hallazgo del objeto de metal más antiguo recuperado en Oriente Medio: se trata de un punzón de cobre datado hacia finales del sexto milenio o principios del quinto milenio antes de Cristo
Chapple, R. M. 2012 'Archaeological Excavations at Tullahedy County Tipperary...Robert M Chapple
This document provides a review and summary of the book "Archaeological Excavations at Tullahedy County Tipperary. Neolithic Settlement in North Munster: Review" by Rose M. Cleary & Hilary Kelleher.
The book presents extensive data from excavations at the Tullahedy archaeological site in County Tipperary, Ireland. It details five phases of activity at the site from the Neolithic period through the medieval period. Notably, it describes three Neolithic houses and over 250 pits containing stone tools, axe heads, and cereal remains. Radiocarbon dating indicates the Neolithic occupation lasted from around 3670-3460 BC. The publication provides a valuable resource of data
The document summarizes archaeological research on the Thornborough Henges ritual monument complex in North Yorkshire, England. It describes the layout and features of the site, including three large henge monuments arranged in a straight line across a gravel plateau. Archaeological investigations aimed to determine the chronology and role of the site in the surrounding Neolithic landscape. Surface surveys found lower artifact densities near the henges, suggesting the area was kept clear, while distant scatters implied temporary occupation when visiting the ritual center.
The excavation of a feature called the Great Circle at the Hopewell Mound Group in Ohio has uncovered evidence that changes archaeologists' understanding of Hopewell sites. Magnetic surveying detected hundreds of anomalies, including postholes forming a circle within the Great Circle that indicate a massive wooden structure called a woodhenge once stood there. If wood structures are found at other Hopewell sites, it will show that wood was commonly used in Hopewell construction and that their earthworks contained extensive wooden architecture.
Peter dunham, et al, the maya mountains archaeological project (mmap) prelim...Jack Corbo
The 1994 season of the Maya Mountains Archaeological Project expanded survey efforts into the western portions of the Maya Mountains of Belize, primarily the Central (Esperanza) and Snake Creek valleys. Archaeological discoveries included three previously unreported and unlooted sites situated near important resource zones. Biological operations found a potentially new variety of swordtail fish and determined an unusual monkey sighting from 1993 was a rare color variant of spider monkey. Geological reconnaissance continued to uncover abundant pigment and grinding stones, as well as potential materials for tools, and provided insights into how lithological variation influenced settlement patterns. Overall results were consistent with prior seasons in highlighting the region's significance for exploiting and exchanging key resources.
Çatalhöyük was a large Neolithic settlement located in southern Anatolia from 7500 BC to 5700 BC. It was composed entirely of domestic buildings packed closely together without streets. The inhabitants, estimated at up to 10,000 people, buried their dead within the settlement and may have exposed bodies before burial. Distinctive clay figurines of a female deity emphasized fertility and were found in what were likely religious sites. Extensive archaeological excavations beginning in 1993 have provided significant insights into the culture and daily life of the Neolithic people who lived there.
Peter dunham, et al. summary report of the 1997 season of the maya mountains ...Jack Corbo
This document summarizes the 1997 season of the Maya Mountains Archaeological Project (MMAP). The main activities included:
1) Expanding excavations at two Maya ruins, Muklebal Tzul and Ek Xux, to obtain datable materials and develop a regional chronology.
2) Continuing cave reconnaissance, botanical surveys, and investigations of an ancient variety of cacao first found in 1996.
3) Collecting snail shells for oxygen isotope analysis to study past climate change and its potential role in the Maya decline.
4) Documenting biological resources like rare plants, fish populations, and evidence of human impacts on animals like brocket deer.
5) Further research on
William R. Coe was a renowned Maya archaeologist from the University of Pennsylvania who conducted extensive excavations at the ancient Maya city of Tikal in Guatemala from the 1950s-1970s. Using the processual approach, he sought to understand how the Maya lived by rigorously applying the scientific method and excavating structures to reveal layers of construction phases. His excavations through the North Acropolis and temples provided a wealth of artifacts and insights into the historical development of the site. The report on his excavations was praised for the large amount of high quality information recovered from a relatively small sample, and for helping to better understand Maya culture change and history. Coe's surveys beyond the site core also helped provide new understand
The report summarizes archaeological research conducted at the Brearley House in Lawrence Township, New Jersey between 1998-2005. Key findings include evidence for two earlier structures that predated the existing 1761 house - a partially excavated basement structure dating to around 1700, and remnants of a stone foundation dating to the early 18th century. Additional excavations around the house uncovered foundations of an attached kitchen wing and other outbuildings. Between 1999-2005, over 1800 middle school students participated in an educational program that included shovel testing across the surrounding meadow, identifying concentrations of prehistoric artifacts. The investigations provided insights into Native American occupation of the site from 1600 BC to the Late Woodland period, as well as the succession of structures associated with
Corrstown: a coastal community. Excavations of a Bronze Age village in Northe...Robert M Chapple
This document provides a summary of the book "Corrstown: A Coastal Community" which presents the results of an excavation of a large Bronze Age village in Northern Ireland. The excavation uncovered 76 structures including houses, paths, and roads, making it the largest Bronze Age settlement found in Ireland or the UK. Artifacts recovered included over 9,000 sherds of pottery and 16,500 pieces of flint, providing important new information about Middle and Late Bronze Age material culture and daily life. Specialists analyzed the lithics, pottery, stone tools, and plant remains, finding evidence of domestic occupation and the local production of bronze and stone tools.
The excavation site in Quinhagak, Alaska has uncovered over 8,000 centuries-old wooden artifacts from the Yup'ik Eskimo culture, due to the area's permafrost preserving the items. After Warren Jones sent photos of mysterious wooden artifacts washing ashore to Professor Rick Knecht, their discussion led to cooperation between Jones' company and Knecht's university to conduct test digs. The digs have expanded over the years, uncovering tools, clothing, weapons and more in excellent condition. The site is being rapidly eroded by the shifting Arolik River, so the excavations are urgently working to uncover the items before they are lost to the landscape changes.
Chapple, R. M. 2012 Review: In the lowlands of south Galway: Archaeological e...Robert M Chapple
This document provides a review of the book "In The Lowlands of South Galway: archaeological excavations on the N18 Oranmore to Gort National Road Scheme". The reviewer summarizes that the book reports on 23 archaeological excavations along the road scheme and contains detailed information on sites from the Bronze Age through the early modern period. A key site, Owenbristy, contained a "cemetery settlement" from the 6th-9th centuries AD with evidence of violent deaths. The reviewer praises the high quality of research, analysis, and presentation in the volume.
This document provides an overview of prehistoric art from the Paleolithic period. It discusses early cave paintings from Europe dating back 35,000 years, including the sophisticated layout and symbolism found in the Paleolithic Cave Temple. Famous sites containing cave paintings are mentioned, such as Chauvet Cave, Lascaux, and caves in Zimbabwe. The materials and techniques used to create cave paintings are examined. Sculptures from the Paleolithic period are showcased, including the Venus of Willendorf and lion-man sculptures. Neolithic architecture such as Skara Brae and structures at Stonehenge are also summarized.
The Mesolithic settlers in Ireland arrived by boat and chose riverbanks, lakesides, and coastal locations for their settlements. They hunted wild pigs and birds and gathered nuts. Tools were made of stone, including flint and chert. The earliest settlements were probably covered by the sea. In the Neolithic period, people began farming and raising cattle, sheep, and goats. They cleared forests for fields and built permanent houses and monuments like court tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs, and wedge tombs for burials.
An Archaeology of the East Midlands: Class 2. Radcliffe Autumn 2014Keith Challis
This document summarizes an archaeology class on the early prehistory of the Midlands region. It discusses the earliest human occupation of the region dating back to hand axes from the Bytham River period. It also describes the landscape and environment during and after the last ice age, including the now submerged Doggerland region. The document then covers the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods in the Midlands, highlighting evidence of settlement, ceremonial monuments like cursus and henge sites, and burials, including a notable hoard found in a barrow at Lockington.
Earth science is a broad spectrum of science that covers life science and physical science. Life science is all about the study of living organisms and their relationships including biology, anatomy, ecology, etc.
The document discusses the Precambrian-Cambrian boundary, which remains controversial despite ongoing research. Radioactive dating and other stratigraphic methods have advanced our understanding of early Cambrian evolution. Laminated stromatolites from the Precambrian provide fossil evidence, while biosedimentary structures indicate the boundary location. Determining an accurate timeframe for the boundary is difficult as evidence suggests a transition period of 30-50 million years between Ediacaran fauna (620-700 million years ago) and the appearance of trilobites.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England composed of earthworks and standing stones. Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2500 BC and served as a burial ground from its earliest existence. It went through three phases of construction, with Stonehenge III being the stone circle of sarsen stones still visible today. While its exact purpose remains unknown, theories suggest it functioned as an astronomical observatory or religious site.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England composed of earthworks and standing stones. Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2500 BC and served as a burial ground from its earliest existence. It went through three phases of construction, with Stonehenge III being the stone circle of sarsen stones still visible today. While its exact purpose remains unknown, theories suggest it functioned as an astronomical observatory or religious site.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England composed of earthworks and standing stones. Archaeologists believe it was erected around 2500 BC and served as a burial ground from its earliest existence. It went through three phases of construction, with Stonehenge III being the stone circle of sarsen stones still visible today. While its exact purpose remains unknown, theories suggest it functioned as an astronomical observatory or religious site.
Similar to Peter dunham, et al. the maya mountains archaeological project (mmap) field report of the 2000 season, 2000 (20)
Extinct Jefferson Ground Sloth mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)Jack Corbo
Ancient DNA (aDNA) of extinct Megalonyx jeffersonii that was native to eastern North America. The sequence is of the entire genome of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
An unidentified frog was observed by Jack Corbo while on a 2000 expedition to the recently explored portion of the Bladen Nature Reserve, Belize, Central America.
Jack Corbo has over 30 years of experience in chemistry, biology, and scientific research. He has a Master's degree in Chemistry and coursework towards a PhD in Molecular Biology. His resume lists positions in scientific research, teaching, archaeology, and inventory management. He has published papers in academic journals and serves on the board of a nonprofit wildlife foundation. Corbo also speaks multiple languages and has won awards for his scientific work.
Mayan Art Sculpting Letter to Don Lewis from Jack CorboJack Corbo
The document is a letter from Jack Corbo providing detailed instructions and advice to Don about making Mayan relief replicas out of modeling clay. Some key points include:
- Corbo emphasizes taking time and patience when carving the clay to ensure high quality replicas.
- Flexible molds can then be made to produce plaster copies, which could be sold to generate income.
- Corbo offers suggestions for distributing and selling the replicas, including through a California company and Belize shops.
- He provides tips on carving techniques and tools, and offers to send samples or answer additional questions.
Corrosion Publication by Jack Corbo and Hamid FarzamJack Corbo
Corbo, J. & Farzam, H., "Influence of Three Commonly Used Inorganic Compounds on the Pore Solution Chemistry and Their Possible Implications to the Corrosion of Steel in Concrete." ACI Materials Journal, 85(5), November-October 1989, pp 498- 502.
Corrosion Publication by Dr. Charles Nmai and Jack CorboJack Corbo
Nmai, C. & Corbo, J., "Sodum Thiocyaniate and the Corrosion Potential of Steel in Concrete and Mortar," Concrete International, 11(11), Nov. 1989, pp. 59-67.
NFL Concussion Litigation Settlement (letter sent to family of Tom Corbo) Jack Corbo
This is a summary of the Concussion Litigation Settlement class action suit against the US National Football League (NFL). This letter was sent to all immediate family members of Tom Corbo who played for the 1944 NFL Cleveland Rams and died of possible health related causes in 2000.
van Keulen and Lindmark Viticulture (wine) Research, 2001Jack Corbo
Cleveland Stater 2001 article about the viticulture (wine) research of molecular biologist Dr. Harry van Keulen (then advisor to Jack Corbo) and microbiologist Dr. Don Lindmark of Cleveland State University.
Corbo & McDonald 2016 Published Chelydra ManuscriptJack Corbo
"An Overview of the Paleoclimatic Influences on the Genetic Variation of Chelydra" published in the Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society by Jack M. Corbo (MS) and Dr. H Greg McDonald, 51(7): 105-117, 2016. Author contributions: J.M.C. led the writing and conceived most of the ideas with some editing while H.G.M. led the editing with some writing and conceived some ideas. Cover art by Richard F. Deckert (1919) suggested and provided by Jack Corbo.
2002 CV of Dr. Peter Dunham (field advisor to Jack Corbo)Jack Corbo
Dr. Peter Dunham (Department of Anthropology) was the field advisor to Jack Corbo in his attempt to obtain a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the Department of Biology at Cleveland State University (1999-2005).
The Rosetta Stone was carved in 196 BC for Egyptian King Ptolemy V. .Rediscovered in 1799, the 114.4 x 72.3 x 27,9 cm (45 x 28.5 x 11 inch) granodiorite stone is unique in that it is inscribed with three written languages: Egyptian hieroglyphs, Demotic, and Greek script that all pronounce the same royal decree.
Rampart Cave discovered by Willis Evans in 1936 is a rare cavern used by the extinct Nothrotheriops shastensis (Shasta Ground Sloth). Paleontological excavations indicate that these megafauna inhabited the cave 36 kya.
Rampart Cave discovered in 1936 is located Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. The rare cave was inhabited by Nothrotheriops shastensis (Shasta Ground Sloth) 13 kya and 36 kya. Paleontological excavations found deposits of this megafauna species at depths of 6 m (20 ft) deep. A majority consisted of dung deposits that gave the cave the smell of a horse stable. The dry dung was also combustible which tragically occurred in 1976. The cave could be considered a repository or archive of the ecology and the genetic change of N. shastensis over more than 30,000 years.
This curriculum vitae summarizes the educational and professional experience of Jack M. Corbo. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Cleveland State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Chemistry from the same institution. His professional experience includes positions in chemistry research, teaching, and laboratory work. He has also conducted biological field research and archaeological excavations. Corbo is currently the manager of a nonprofit organization called Herps Alive Foundation and operates an independent scientific supply business.
Sexuality - Issues, Attitude and Behaviour - Applied Social Psychology - Psyc...PsychoTech Services
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together the best of learning theories from Psychology, design principles from the world of visualization, and pedagogical methods from over a decade of training experience, that enables you to: Learn better, faster!
The binding of cosmological structures by massless topological defectsSérgio Sacani
Assuming spherical symmetry and weak field, it is shown that if one solves the Poisson equation or the Einstein field
equations sourced by a topological defect, i.e. a singularity of a very specific form, the result is a localized gravitational
field capable of driving flat rotation (i.e. Keplerian circular orbits at a constant speed for all radii) of test masses on a thin
spherical shell without any underlying mass. Moreover, a large-scale structure which exploits this solution by assembling
concentrically a number of such topological defects can establish a flat stellar or galactic rotation curve, and can also deflect
light in the same manner as an equipotential (isothermal) sphere. Thus, the need for dark matter or modified gravity theory is
mitigated, at least in part.
Candidate young stellar objects in the S-cluster: Kinematic analysis of a sub...Sérgio Sacani
Context. The observation of several L-band emission sources in the S cluster has led to a rich discussion of their nature. However, a definitive answer to the classification of the dusty objects requires an explanation for the detection of compact Doppler-shifted Brγ emission. The ionized hydrogen in combination with the observation of mid-infrared L-band continuum emission suggests that most of these sources are embedded in a dusty envelope. These embedded sources are part of the S-cluster, and their relationship to the S-stars is still under debate. To date, the question of the origin of these two populations has been vague, although all explanations favor migration processes for the individual cluster members. Aims. This work revisits the S-cluster and its dusty members orbiting the supermassive black hole SgrA* on bound Keplerian orbits from a kinematic perspective. The aim is to explore the Keplerian parameters for patterns that might imply a nonrandom distribution of the sample. Additionally, various analytical aspects are considered to address the nature of the dusty sources. Methods. Based on the photometric analysis, we estimated the individual H−K and K−L colors for the source sample and compared the results to known cluster members. The classification revealed a noticeable contrast between the S-stars and the dusty sources. To fit the flux-density distribution, we utilized the radiative transfer code HYPERION and implemented a young stellar object Class I model. We obtained the position angle from the Keplerian fit results; additionally, we analyzed the distribution of the inclinations and the longitudes of the ascending node. Results. The colors of the dusty sources suggest a stellar nature consistent with the spectral energy distribution in the near and midinfrared domains. Furthermore, the evaporation timescales of dusty and gaseous clumps in the vicinity of SgrA* are much shorter ( 2yr) than the epochs covered by the observations (≈15yr). In addition to the strong evidence for the stellar classification of the D-sources, we also find a clear disk-like pattern following the arrangements of S-stars proposed in the literature. Furthermore, we find a global intrinsic inclination for all dusty sources of 60 ± 20◦, implying a common formation process. Conclusions. The pattern of the dusty sources manifested in the distribution of the position angles, inclinations, and longitudes of the ascending node strongly suggests two different scenarios: the main-sequence stars and the dusty stellar S-cluster sources share a common formation history or migrated with a similar formation channel in the vicinity of SgrA*. Alternatively, the gravitational influence of SgrA* in combination with a massive perturber, such as a putative intermediate mass black hole in the IRS 13 cluster, forces the dusty objects and S-stars to follow a particular orbital arrangement. Key words. stars: black holes– stars: formation– Galaxy: center– galaxies: star formation
JAMES WEBB STUDY THE MASSIVE BLACK HOLE SEEDSSérgio Sacani
The pathway(s) to seeding the massive black holes (MBHs) that exist at the heart of galaxies in the present and distant Universe remains an unsolved problem. Here we categorise, describe and quantitatively discuss the formation pathways of both light and heavy seeds. We emphasise that the most recent computational models suggest that rather than a bimodal-like mass spectrum between light and heavy seeds with light at one end and heavy at the other that instead a continuum exists. Light seeds being more ubiquitous and the heavier seeds becoming less and less abundant due the rarer environmental conditions required for their formation. We therefore examine the different mechanisms that give rise to different seed mass spectrums. We show how and why the mechanisms that produce the heaviest seeds are also among the rarest events in the Universe and are hence extremely unlikely to be the seeds for the vast majority of the MBH population. We quantify, within the limits of the current large uncertainties in the seeding processes, the expected number densities of the seed mass spectrum. We argue that light seeds must be at least 103 to 105 times more numerous than heavy seeds to explain the MBH population as a whole. Based on our current understanding of the seed population this makes heavy seeds (Mseed > 103 M⊙) a significantly more likely pathway given that heavy seeds have an abundance pattern than is close to and likely in excess of 10−4 compared to light seeds. Finally, we examine the current state-of-the-art in numerical calculations and recent observations and plot a path forward for near-future advances in both domains.
Mending Clothing to Support Sustainable Fashion_CIMaR 2024.pdfSelcen Ozturkcan
Ozturkcan, S., Berndt, A., & Angelakis, A. (2024). Mending clothing to support sustainable fashion. Presented at the 31st Annual Conference by the Consortium for International Marketing Research (CIMaR), 10-13 Jun 2024, University of Gävle, Sweden.
(June 12, 2024) Webinar: Development of PET theranostics targeting the molecu...Scintica Instrumentation
Targeting Hsp90 and its pathogen Orthologs with Tethered Inhibitors as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategy for cancer and infectious diseases with Dr. Timothy Haystead.
Describing and Interpreting an Immersive Learning Case with the Immersion Cub...Leonel Morgado
Current descriptions of immersive learning cases are often difficult or impossible to compare. This is due to a myriad of different options on what details to include, which aspects are relevant, and on the descriptive approaches employed. Also, these aspects often combine very specific details with more general guidelines or indicate intents and rationales without clarifying their implementation. In this paper we provide a method to describe immersive learning cases that is structured to enable comparisons, yet flexible enough to allow researchers and practitioners to decide which aspects to include. This method leverages a taxonomy that classifies educational aspects at three levels (uses, practices, and strategies) and then utilizes two frameworks, the Immersive Learning Brain and the Immersion Cube, to enable a structured description and interpretation of immersive learning cases. The method is then demonstrated on a published immersive learning case on training for wind turbine maintenance using virtual reality. Applying the method results in a structured artifact, the Immersive Learning Case Sheet, that tags the case with its proximal uses, practices, and strategies, and refines the free text case description to ensure that matching details are included. This contribution is thus a case description method in support of future comparative research of immersive learning cases. We then discuss how the resulting description and interpretation can be leveraged to change immersion learning cases, by enriching them (considering low-effort changes or additions) or innovating (exploring more challenging avenues of transformation). The method holds significant promise to support better-grounded research in immersive learning.
Anti-Universe And Emergent Gravity and the Dark UniverseSérgio Sacani
Recent theoretical progress indicates that spacetime and gravity emerge together from the entanglement structure of an underlying microscopic theory. These ideas are best understood in Anti-de Sitter space, where they rely on the area law for entanglement entropy. The extension to de Sitter space requires taking into account the entropy and temperature associated with the cosmological horizon. Using insights from string theory, black hole physics and quantum information theory we argue that the positive dark energy leads to a thermal volume law contribution to the entropy that overtakes the area law precisely at the cosmological horizon. Due to the competition between area and volume law entanglement the microscopic de Sitter states do not thermalise at sub-Hubble scales: they exhibit memory effects in the form of an entropy displacement caused by matter. The emergent laws of gravity contain an additional ‘dark’ gravitational force describing the ‘elastic’ response due to the entropy displacement. We derive an estimate of the strength of this extra force in terms of the baryonic mass, Newton’s constant and the Hubble acceleration scale a0 = cH0, and provide evidence for the fact that this additional ‘dark gravity force’ explains the observed phenomena in galaxies and clusters currently attributed to dark matter.
Authoring a personal GPT for your research and practice: How we created the Q...Leonel Morgado
Thematic analysis in qualitative research is a time-consuming and systematic task, typically done using teams. Team members must ground their activities on common understandings of the major concepts underlying the thematic analysis, and define criteria for its development. However, conceptual misunderstandings, equivocations, and lack of adherence to criteria are challenges to the quality and speed of this process. Given the distributed and uncertain nature of this process, we wondered if the tasks in thematic analysis could be supported by readily available artificial intelligence chatbots. Our early efforts point to potential benefits: not just saving time in the coding process but better adherence to criteria and grounding, by increasing triangulation between humans and artificial intelligence. This tutorial will provide a description and demonstration of the process we followed, as two academic researchers, to develop a custom ChatGPT to assist with qualitative coding in the thematic data analysis process of immersive learning accounts in a survey of the academic literature: QUAL-E Immersive Learning Thematic Analysis Helper. In the hands-on time, participants will try out QUAL-E and develop their ideas for their own qualitative coding ChatGPT. Participants that have the paid ChatGPT Plus subscription can create a draft of their assistants. The organizers will provide course materials and slide deck that participants will be able to utilize to continue development of their custom GPT. The paid subscription to ChatGPT Plus is not required to participate in this workshop, just for trying out personal GPTs during it.
ESA/ACT Science Coffee: Diego Blas - Gravitational wave detection with orbita...Advanced-Concepts-Team
Presentation in the Science Coffee of the Advanced Concepts Team of the European Space Agency on the 07.06.2024.
Speaker: Diego Blas (IFAE/ICREA)
Title: Gravitational wave detection with orbital motion of Moon and artificial
Abstract:
In this talk I will describe some recent ideas to find gravitational waves from supermassive black holes or of primordial origin by studying their secular effect on the orbital motion of the Moon or satellites that are laser ranged.
PPT on Alternate Wetting and Drying presented at the three-day 'Training and Validation Workshop on Modules of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Technologies in South Asia' workshop on April 22, 2024.
Peter dunham, et al. the maya mountains archaeological project (mmap) field report of the 2000 season, 2000
1. The Maj,a Mountains Archaeological Project (MMAP):
Field lieport of the 2000 Season
Peter S. Dunhain
Jack D. Corbo
Ramon I. Vargas
Cleveland State University
Rebecca L. Hays
Tulane University
Andreu-kJ.Kindon
University of California at Los Angeles
Keith M. Prufer
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Cliristoplier Boehin
Marvin Cal
Jason Enberg
Mary Primer
Jaclyn Vinick
Cleveland State Unh-ersity
Boilifacio Tut
Forest Department
Government of Belize
Ebbe Brandt
University of Copenhagen
Mary McGee
Cleveland State UniversiQ
Abstract
The ninth season of the Maya Mountains Archaeological Project (MMAP) was_.compIetedduring
April and Ma)-, 2000. Work was conducted again in the upper Bladen dra&ge of the Monkey
River. Archaeological research consisted of cave reconnaissance and settlement survey and
excavations, including tombs. Multiple biological investigations were performed. Plants were
collected for studies of ancient Maya tree farming, resource phytoliths, cacao DNA, and forest
product development. We also sampled turtle and snail DNA for research on evolutionary
genetics. Soil samples were gathered from the surface for plant distribution studies and from
caves for the analysis of antibiotic properties among cave-dwelling microbes. Extensive
mapping of k e region was conducted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) for building a
,,,local Geographic Information System (GIs). A number of major finds were made. The main
operations and discoveries are summarized herein.
2. Introduction
I'he Majra Mountains Archaeological Prqjt'ct (MMAP) is an ongoing multidisciplina~?stud! of'
ancient Maja resource exploitation and exchange in the remote and rugged 11aja lountains of
southern Belize. Launched in 1992. the reconnaissance phase of the research consisted of a
broadscale sun7eyof mineral and biotic resources and the associated sites. .A multitude of
unusual montane resources as identified. along with o er a dozen centers that likely exploited
and exchange these materials. Recentl!.. a more intensi.e phase has been initiated. focusing on
the major finds from Phase 1. Phase I1 is concentrated at Ek Xux and 14uhlebal Tzul, the
principal centers in the upper Bladen drainage of the Monkey River.
The ninth season of the MMAP was con~pletedin April and May of the Year 2000. We finished
our recoimaissance of caves in the icinity of the t1t.o ruins. The inapping of the suburban
settlement surrounding both sites was almost completed. along with the excavation of associated
tombs and other deposits. Numerous plant specimens were collected. including materials for
studies of ancient Maya tree farming. resource phytoliths, cacao DNA, and forest product
development. Turtle and snail DNA was sampled for research on evolutionaq differentiation.
Surface and cave soils were sampled, the former for plant distribution studies and the latter for
microbes with antibiotic properties. Additiona progress was made on the GPS (satellite locator)
survey of the Ek Xux canyon system for GIs (Geographic Information System) studies. A
number of important finds were made.
Archaeological Operations and Finds
Four major archaeological operations mrere performed in the environs of Muklebal Tzul andlor
Ek Xux: (1) the reconnaissance of caves. (2) the survey of suburban settlement. (3) the
excavation of tombs and suburban settlement. and (4) the preliminary sampling of soils. The
cave reconnaissance was essentially completed. The settlement excavations and mapping are
nearly finished and will probably require one more extended season of field study. The soil
survey will lay a foundation for further study.
Cave Reconnaissance
The 2000 season concluded five years of cave surL7eyin the environs surrounding Muklebal Tzul
and Ek Xux. This year's work focused on completing the reconnaissance of three hillsides in the
Muklebal catchment and two hillsides associated with the Ek Xux pocket. Lateral transects were
conducted along the bases and summits of the hillsides. No new caves were found in the
Muklebal area; several caves with cultural deposits were encountered in the Ek Xux zone. Test
excavations were conducted in the well or pseudocave encountered last year in the stela group at
Muklebal Tzul and at Mayehal Xheton. a cave to the east of Muklebal with a large rockshelter-
like opening. The existence of a plastered collecting basin was established at the entrance to the
well. It was also demonstrated that the flooring extends under the walls of the feature, indicating
that it was installed prior to the construction of the masonry tunnel. The excavations at Mayehal
Xheton revealed evidence of additional plaster flooring and platform m a s o w but no remains of
mortuary activity. The cave apparently did not function as a burial site.
Several major survey finds were made in caves. Workmen cutting a new trail encountered a
sizable cave, U'tuch Qui, in the "rock chute" southeast of Ek Xux. This cave contained a single
polychrome plate with a well-executed black and red over cream scene on the interior, showing a
3. st~lizedfish apparentl!. snimming. a hall! appr(yri31~'L'ndenxorld image. The cae as
ei identlj used for one discrete ritual eIrent.probabl! more indil idual- than group-oriented. Four
tales were imrestigated on the high hillside southeast of Ek Xux and abo,e the Saki Tzul
rockshelter. To were significant. Kab'il Sah' unah contained several plastered platfornms, one
of which retains at least two lateral i.ooden retaining beams. Evidence of cvstal extraction Lvas
also found. Tno flowstone formations had been fractured and calcite crystals removed. Calcite
cqstals ere deposited elsewhere in the cae. X partial flanged censer it11 an effigy face was
also recovered. At Toq-bil Roq'ikal KabpeL. the remains of at least five vessels, including a
handled censer lid and three snmall unslipped boiils. nere found atop several unplastered
platfoinms. Numerous torch and carbon samples ere also collected for dating purposes.
Settlement and Tomb Excavations
This year. ive continued excavations in the settlement at Muhlebal Tzul and initiated excavations
in the settlement at Ek Xus. The settlement at Muklebal Tzul is notable for its many cotnplex
tombs. which appear to be thoroughly distributed throughout the site periphery. not just in the
core. Three additional tombs were excavated in order to evaluate further the social significance
of this unusual distribution. In West V. less than 300 n~from the core, we completed excavation
of the serial burial uncovered in 1999 in the tomb within Structure 36, me excavated the sealed
tomb in Structure 38 identified in 1999, and Lie conducted salvage excavations in a tomb within
Structure 34 that had been partially looted during the offseason. Medial trenches were also
excavated in structures with tombs that had already been excavated, both within West V and in
West I. 1.3 km from the core. The purpose of the medial trenches was to re~lealarchitectural
details associated with the buildings that contain the tombs. At Ek Xux. ten 1 x 1 m and one 1 x
2 m test units were excavated alongside several outlying structures in an effort to secure charcoal
from trash middens for radiocarbon dating. Two 1 x 2 units were also excavated in gaps within
settlement groups to assess the possibility that nonplatfornl structures had been present.
Last year, we recovered the partially articulated eastern skeleton in the Structure 36 tomb in
Muklebal West V. This year we removed three to four disarticulated individuals and associated
ornaments in the western and southern sectors. The tomb in Structure 38 was extremely well
preserved with a crude corbelled vault. The ceiling of the tomb in Structure 34 had been
completely destroyed by the looting, but much of the deposit was still intact. It produced a large
assemblage of ceramics, including several polychrome sherds, one with partial texts, as well as a
few lithic artifacts. The medial trenching revealed simple box-like constructions. All stairways
had been added after the construction of the main platfonns. The medial trench along the south
face of Structure 1 in West I yielded a formal cache. The main part of the cache consisted of two
Ik-footed dishes placed lip to lip. A miniature incised jar. a complete obsidian prismatic blade,
and a small, crude limestone figurine were all placed behveen the vessels. An incised vase was
found immediately to the southwest of the main vessels, and may also be part of the cache.
Many of the settlement excavations at Ek Xux uncovered middens. All produced carbon. One
revealed a nonplatform structure. The settlement excavation program was highly successful.
Settlement Survey
The settlement survey was greatly extended in 2000. Approximately 100 additional mounds
were mapped with infrared total data stations. Sixty-five were in the massive West 7 group,
about 1.5 km west of the site core of Muklebal Tzul. Thirty-five were north of the creek, some
200 m north of the site core at Ek Xux. Under the direction of PhD archaeology student Andrew
4. I!..Kindon of UCLA, thc settlement sunel is rapidlj nearing conlpletion. Likely fener than 50
of 300 mounds remain to be mappcd at Ek Xus. An undetermined number is left at Muhlebal
Tzul. but it cannot be high. The valley has been almost completely survej~ed,particularl> along
the most heallily settled central ridge. All settlement will probably have been fully mapped at
both sites after one more extended season. The precise delimitation of the two canyons and the
settlen~entthey contain bj the surrounding precipices makes it possible to map the to sites in
their entiretj.. allowing for the first such con~pletemapping and comparative study. hluklebal
Tzul and Ek Xux are producing some of the best settlement data in the Maya area.
Settlement discoveries in 2000 were especially compelling. West 7 proved to be an enormous
group with'core-like features. The structures are arranged linearly along the spine of a major
spur of the central ridge. The ai-rangement is particularly well developed in its upper reaches.
Settlement is concentrated on the highpoints along the spur. Two of these are linked by a small
causeway, in the manner of major groups within site cores. The uppermost rise supports only
tvo mounds, the tallest just over 1 m high. Inlmediately in front of this structure are the remains
of three plain limestone stela. The occurrence of another monument complex in such close
prosiinity to the core agrees well u.it11 Kindon's hypothesis that status, wealth, authority, and
power are more dispersed throughout the site periphery at Muklebal Tzul than at Ek Xux. It also
accords well with the distribution of complex tombs and burial goods throughout the Muklebal
periphery. The fact that only one of the groups mapped north of Ek Xux even approximates a
formal courtyard again supports the contrast between the two sites. The only truly formal
organization evident at Ek Xux is in the site core.
Soil Sampling
In 1999, we excavated three test pits for a pilot study of soils in the Ek Xux valley. The goal of
these pits was to provide both profiles of the soil system and samples for pedological analysis. 1
x 1 m units were excavated in the suburban settlement near the site core, halfway down the
valley, and at the center of the distant cacao quad. The soil materials were gathered for two
primary purposes. One was to establish the relative acidity of the soils and degree to which they
are derived from the volcanic divide of the mountains. This information would help con~plement
the phytolith studies. as phytoliths would be more likely to develop and preserve in acid volcanic
soils. The other objective was to assess the distribution of cacao-favoring soils. The clustering
of the cacao trees near the ruin might be at least partly explained by a concentration of cacao
soils there. ~edolo~icafanalyses by the Ohio State University revealed a slightly acid pH,
favoring a volcanic parent material and phytolith development. Only one cacao nutrient tended
to be distributed in association with the site. To enhance our understanding of the relationship
between cacao and soils, however, it would help to sample similarly the soils of Muklebal.
In 2000, we conducted a preliminary sampling of the Muklebal soils. We excavated two 1 x 1 nl
test units, one near the center of the cacao quad and corresponding cluster close to the site core
and another at the center of the distant cacao quad. The most complex wall of each was profiled
and samples taken from every major layer. Both units were excavated to bedrock, which at less
than 1 m of depth is indicative of the difference between Muklebal Tzul and Ek Xux. The Ek
Xux soils are deep, rich alluvial deposits derived f?om the acid volcanics. The Muklebal
materials are much darker, derived from basic limestone, and considerably thinner than those of
Ek Xux. The Muklebal valley floor is less mature geologically than that of Ek Xux. Muklebal is
5. more h a ili incised and still in the process of eroding. Since cacao is generall! k n o ~ i lto prefer
slightl~acid soils, the occurrence of a significant cacao population on the basic Muklebal soils
ma) pro e to be something of note. It ma1 point to the de.elopment by the ancient h4aj.a of' a
limestone tolerant or preferring species. Pedological analysis of this year's soil samples may
shed important light on the distribution and nature of the hluklebal cacao.
Botanical Operations and Finds
There were four major compoileilts to the botanical program this year. We collected (1)
reference san~plesfor phytolith studies of prehistoric plant use, (2) cacao leaves for DNA
fingerprinting of the aboriginal cacao populations, (3) data on plant distributions for research on
ancient Maya tree farming and its effects on modern forest composition, and (4) mamrney seed
specimens for development into renewable forest products.
Phytolith Reference Specimens
Phytoliths are small silica bodies that form in many plants. They sometimes preserve well and
can be indicatilre of the plants of origin. Their occurrence in a trash midden can help identifj'
those plants that Lvere used by a population. They develop and preserve better in slightly acid
conditions. Given the basic PI-I of the mainly limestone Maya lowlands, they have generally not
been recovered in quality or quantity at other lowland sites. As our preliminaly soil studies have
demonstrated. hoever, the soils of the Ek Xux canyon are derived primarily from the acid
volcanics of the main divide of the Maya Mountains. In 1999, we collected samples from three
middens associated with two structures in the inner settlement at Ek Xux. Analyses by Irwin
Rovner's laboratory at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill revealed that these
materials contained some of the highest and best-presen~edconcentrations of phytoliths ever
recorded in the Maya lowlands. Unfortunately, without a comparative collection of phytoliths
extracted from known local flora, it is not possible to identify the Ek Xux phytoliths.
This year, we collected specimens from over a dozen contempora~yplants of recognized
resource value in the Ek Xux environs (see Appendix I for list). These are the species that are
most likely to be represented among the Ek Xux materials. Many of them are also promising
candidates for phytolith production. We gathered samples from various portions of the plants in
order to ensure that we secured the different phytoliths from each part. It is our goal to conduct a
pilot study of the viability of reconstructing the plant resources that were used at Ek Xux by
identifying their remains among the phytoliths in the middens there. We intend to extract
phytoliths from the modern plants that we can use to identify the corresponding ancient ones. If
we are able to identify a significant amount of the prehistoric phytoliths, then we will proceed
with a full-scale study, collecting further samples, both ancient and modern. The Ek Xux
materials will probably provide a uniquely penetrating window into ancient Maya plant use.
Cacao DNA
In 1996, in conjunction with cacao scientist Vish MooleedhBr of the University of the West
Indies in Trinidad, the MMAP identified two populations of aboriginal chocolate still growing
around the ruins of Muklebal Tzul and Ek Xux. The trees fruit but reproduce by shooting, which
means that they are essentially clones of the prehistoric trees. In 1997 and 1999, we mapped
large quadrats of trees in both groups and determined that they were clustered around the two
ruins, perhaps in a fossil pattern. The distribution suggests that they may have been cultivated in
6. close yroi~nitjto thc a erags 1;0~:seh~Id.not in association it11 distant rotational maize fields.
Our prt'liminar) soil assajs support this assessment. uith onlj one mqjor cacao nutrient also
concentrated near the ruins. At lull&al there ma! eken ha.e been a single groe. although it
is unclear ivhether it vas under indiidual or community control. Interestingly. the Muklebal
trees grow in limestone soils. indicating that at least one population tolerates or prospers in basic
conditions. Such a tree might be idclj cultivable in the tropical carbonates.
One of the main remaining aspects of the Maya Mountains cacao to document is its genetic
composition. It would be useful to know the relationship between the Ek Xux and Muklebal
populations. modem commercial stocks. and an). other archaic strains. Like many commercial
crops, contkmporary cacao has been highly overbred. It has lost much of its reproductive vigor
and is increasingly vulnerable to blights and substandard conditions. Consequently, there is
great interest in the chocolate industry in developing aboriginal varieties to cross with
commercial stocks. The Maya Mountains cacao ma: prove to be of significant commercial
value. The Government of Belize, living Maya, and research community are already involved in
discussions regarding its development in a mutuall). beneficial fashion. Part of deveIoping a
coinmercially riable identity for the material is to establish its broader genetic signature. We
sampled three leaves each from over twenty videspread trees in each population in order to
determine the wider genetic profile. These specimens will be submitted to DNA analysis.
Precolumbian Tree Farming
Numerous scholars have proposed in recent ycars that the Maya engaged in the cultivation of
trees or silviculture. While a great deal of provocati~eevidence has been advanced. the debate
remains unresolved. Few conclusive cases have been developed. The Maya Mountains may
offer an unusual opportunity to explore the matter further. As the cacao trees attest. we already
know that at least one tree was cultivated around sites in the Maya Mountains. The fact that the
cacao trees retain their fruit beyond the point of germination proves that these trees were
domesticated and therefore cultivated (in domesticating plants, people almost universally select
for individuals that hold their fruit for harvesting). The fact that cacao is an understory tree and
thrives under the shade of higher canopy trees suggests that another overstosy tree may have
been grown along with it. Considering that the cacao trees seem to preserve traces of their
prehistoric patterning, detailed study of contemporary plant distributions in the area might reveal
this association and other potential crop trees. Moreover, the rugged nature of the Maya
Mountains has diminished logging in the interior and may have protected these relationships.
CSU ethnobotany undergraduate student Ramon I. Vargas, former manager of the Forest
Herbarium of the Forest Department of the Go,ernment of Belize, directed a preliminasy study
of plant distributions in the Muklebal and Ek Xux pockets. Four 50-by-50 m plots were
established near the site cores and at significant remove (1 to 2 krn) within each cacao quad.
Every identifiable plant was documented and sampled along 2-m wide transects at 10-m intervals
within the plots. 180 fertile specimens -erecollected and pressed. These results of these efforts
will be utilized to devise a larger sampling strategy that might detect subtle variations in the
distributions of trees and other plants within the Muklebal and Ek Xux forests. It may well
reveal that the current forests in these areas are not just products of forest recovery from
deforestation for Maya agriculture over 1,000 years ago but also have been at least partially
conditioned by the effects of Maya tree farming.
7. Sustainable Forest Product De.elopment
One of the major goals of the MMAP is to help local populations delelop renelvable forest
products that 141generate additional iilconlc alternative to that supplied by poaching or looting
and to pro ids an econonlic incentive to maintain the forest and not destroy or degrade it or its
contents. It is our hope that the cacao find might prove to be particularly helpful on this front.
Last )ear. u e collected samples of the "coffee .ine," chibayal (Tjwnn(/~usgun(emu1ensis). Bark
from this ine produces a clo1.e-like tea, the ilavorant of hich might make an appealing additive
to coffee or chocolate. These samples are currently being subjected to phytochenlical studies at
Northeastern University in order to determine if they contain toxins. At the same time. ve
gathered nuts from the mammey fruit (Pou(cricrznpotu). which when dried and ground have an
almond-like taste and might make a similarly attractive flavorant. Unfortunately, the seeds were
not dried sufficiently and molded before we could send them off for analysis.
This year, u e gathered new mainmey nuts to replace the ones that we lost last year to mold. We
dried them in the sun and miped them doun with alcohol to kill off an) mold that was beginning
to develop. We managed to dry them to the point that the internal seeds are rattling around
inside their external husks. We believe that ye have now secured a sufficiently dried body of
nuts to allow us to pursue phytochemical analyses. If the chibayal and marnmey turn out not to
contain toxins, we will encourage and assist the Government of Belize and a local community
organization in developing and marketing a conmercially i~iableproduct for sale domestic all^
and perhaps even abroad. There would likely be considerable demand for such ecologically
friendly and culturally appropriate products. We have already had discussions with both the
Forest Department and Belize Indigenous Training lnstitute (BITI) regarding the development of
these materials. We hope next to turn to the lemon-leaf tree for a tea or flavor additive.
Zoolonical Operations and Finds
The MMAP helped to support two zoological investigations this year: (1) the sampling of mud
turtle and snail DNA for the study of a new evolutionary mechanism for differentiation and (2)
the collection of soil samples from caves for the analysis of antibiotic properties anlong microbes
that they might contain.
Evolutionaw Differentiation
Evolution pro-ides populations with the diverse adaptations that allow them to continue to
prosper in changing conditions. There are a variety of mechanisms that generate this diversity.
Jack Corbo. a CSU doctoral student in molecular biology, hypotheses that in branching riverine
systems, populations in the upper tributaries become adapted to the specific local conditions of
each branch. As upstream individuals are periodically washed downstream, they introduce the
associated traits and genetic signatures into the populations in the main channels. Main channel
populations. then, are composed of a mixture of these characteristics and adapted to a wider
range of situations. The tributary populations serve as a repository of specific adaptations for the
main channel populations, and main channel populations act as a reservoir of broader adaptations
for branch populations. Last year, Corbo sampled blood from white-lipped mud turtles
(Kinosternon letrcostomum) in the upper Bladen to extract DNA to test this scenario. If true,
tributary DNA would be more specific and main channel DNA more diverse. Unfortunately,
some of the blood samples were insufficient to extract adequate sequences.
8. In 2000, Corbo returned to the upper Bladen to enhance his stud),. He sampled tissue from the
rear legs of' the mud turtles and from the font of the jure snail ( P c ~ h ~ ~ ~ l ~ i l r r . ~imlio~-ii~n).a
freshwater gastropod, in an effort to extract sufficient genetic material to detect the requisite
pattern. He sampled nearly 50 mud turtles in the Ek Xux creek. AC branch of the Bladen.
Muklebal stretch of the Bladen. Bladen headf,aters2and upper Snake Creek. While the numbers
are low in the uppelmost drainages. w~hichare smaller in extent. they may be sufficient for hi111
to document minor variations between the lower watersheds. in particular Ek Xux. AC. and
Muklebal. He also gathered some 60 samples of,jl~/etissue. The availability ofjr~res.however.
did not seem to vary so much with the size of the catchment as it did with the degree to which
water the water was derived from limestone sources. was basic. and contained adequate calcium
carbonate for the rnolluscs to secrete their shells. Patterns in the DNA among these specimens
might provide evidence that the mechanism is sufficiently generic and powerful to appl>-across
species boundaries to many aquatic organisms in dendritic or branching systems. If the
hypothesis is supported, it will become an important factor in designing consenration areas.
Antibiotic Microbes in Caves
Dark zones in caves often contain fen nutrients, especiallj, if the system is closed to the
introduction of outside organic materials. Consequently. competition is pal-titularly heavq
among microbes that inhabit cave soils in such environments. Cave-dwelling microbes of this
sort are known in some cases to secrete antibiotic chen~icalsto hold off competing organisms,
helping to ensure preferential access to an adequate food supply. At a time in which antibiotic
inedications are losing efficacy due to increasing resistance by pathogens, this phenomenon is of
growing interest. At least one company. Biomes, Inc., has been incorporated expressly for the
purpose of attempting to develop viable antibiotic products from the secretions of cave microbes.
CSU molecular biology PhD student Jack Corbo arranged with biochemist David Newrnan of the
US National Cancer Institute to analyze cave soils from the upper Bladen for antibiotic microbes.
Our intention in working with the NCI. which has a very favorable biological properties
protocol, was to avoid any commercial entanglements that might result if a find is made.
Twenty-two soil samples were gathered from four major cave systems: U'toch Qui, Black Pot
Cave, and the AC Cave in the Ek Xux system and Tusbil Pek in the middle Snake Creek. The
samples are approximately 10 mg in weight. They were obtained bjr scraping the material from
the cave floor with a ~Tbodensampling stick into a ziploc sample bag. Each bag and sample
stick was sterilized by exposing it to ultraviolet light to ensure that the samples contain only
microbes from the caves and not any that would otherwise have been introduced from the stick
and bag. Dr. Newman anticipates that the contents should remain viable for at least a month.
We are exporting the materials under our US Department of Agriculture soil importation permit.
The analyses will be conducted in the biosecure laboratories at Ft. Detrick, Maryland.
GPSIGIS Mapping .
In 1999, we began mapping the Ek Xux canyon with a Global Positioning System (GPS) or
satellite locator. The existing maps of the region were made from aerial photographs and are too
small in scale for us to be able to plot our wealth of multidisciplinary data on them. The
mapping is being conducted in several phases. The initial phase cdnsists of securing Universal
Transverse Mercator (UTM) readings for major points defining the base of the cliff faces that
9. form the canjons. These readings delimit the can>on~isllsh)nl the c a q o n bottoms. helping us
to delineate the habitable area. Wc also acquire GI's rcaciings for the nlain Ivatsrcourses. such as
the Bladen and the Ek Xux Creek. In the future. ive hope to map the configuration of important
features on the canyon bottomlands. like the upper riparian terraces and ridgetops that support
settlement. further enabling us to clarifj the area that as suitable for habitation. With these
figures. we maj ultimately be able to reconstruct camring capacities. We sill also be able to
construct a basenlap for plotting our data within a Geographic Information System (GIs). a
computerized management program for spatial data.
In 2000, we managed to map the narrols neck of the Bladen gorge that links the Ek Xus and AC
pockets, as well as most of the AC canyon. We Mere actuall~pleasantly surprised to con~plete
this sector. as the can>-onwalls are so high and so close as that they nearlq. prevent satellite signal
reception. We were well on schedule to finish mapping the main segment of the AC canyon.
when our work was interrupted by rainy weather and clouds. We completed mapping the
southeast, southwest, and northwest sections. The entire AC stretch of the Bladen and the AC
Creek ere also mapped. Thick cloud coverage, in conlbination with the canyon wall and dense
forest canopy, prevented mapping of the last bits of the northeast portion of the canyon Lrall. We
expect to conclude the mapping of the AC canjron in short order in 2001. when we will initiate
mapping the Muklebal valley. We will also probably employ two GPS teams on a constant basis
next year in order to ensure that we conclude the survey. We will attempt to begin the second
phase of terrace and ridge mapping at that time.
Conclusions
The 2000 season of the MMAP was another great success. We have essentially completed our
cave reconnaissance in the Muklebal Tzul - Ek Xus area. The settlement survey and excavation
programs will likely be finished next year. Preliminary soil sampling was finished in the
Muklebal valley. Reference phytolith specimens were collected, as were cacao DNA samples,
data that may reflect on ancient Maya tree farming. and mammey seeds for sustainable forest
product development. Mud turtle and snail DNA were also gathered for studies of the
eolutionary mechanisms behind genetic differentiation. Cave microbes were also sampled to
see if they exhibit any antibiotic properties. The GPS mapping of the AC Canyon was nearly
completed, making for significant progress on our GIs basemap.
A number of important finds were made. The cave reconnaissance produced the painted fish pot.
the wooden retaining beams, modeled effigy censer. and extraction locus for calcite crystals.
The Mukelbal settlement excavations completed the recovey of the serial burials from last year
and yielded a useful cache. The Ek Xux settlement excavations produced numerous charcoal
fragments for radiocarbon dating and promising midden materials for phytolith extraction. The
settlement survey uncovered a second stela plaza in large outlier of Muklebal Tzul and further
evidence that the settlement at Muklebal Tzul is more formalized and the distribution of power
there more dispersed than at Ek Xux. The season was highly productive.