The idea that Australian Aborigines may have been the first humans in the Americas may be “startling” but it isn’t “new”.

The attachment to this message is an article from Scientific American that was published in 2005 on the same subject.

Chris Forbes-Ewan

19 Hedley St

Scottsdale Tas 7260

From: asc-list-bounces@lists.asc.asn.au [mailto:asc-list-bounces@lists.asc.asn.au] On Behalf Of Wilson da Silva Sent: Friday, 1 October 2010 9:32 AM To: asc-list@lists.asc.asn.au Subject: [ASC-list] COSMOS EXCLUSIVE: Did Australian Aborigines reach America first?

http://www.vision6.com.au/download/files/08123/939809/Cosmos_wURL.jpg

http://www.vision6.com.au/ch/8123/2ddsb3q/1325278/1409a139m4.html http://www.vision6.com.au/ch/8123/2ddsb3q/1325278/1409a139m4.html Image http://www.vision6.com.au/ch/8123/2ddsb3q/1325278/1409a139m4.html FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1 OCTOBER 2010

EXCLUSIVE: Did Australian Aborigines reach America first?

Startling new archaeological finds are set to rewrite the record books, suggesting that the Americas were settled more than 11,000 years ago by the first Australians.

A detailed investigation in the October issue of COSMOS, Australia’s #1 science magazine, details the astonishing discovery of scores of ancient human remains in Brazil, Chile and Florida – some more than 11,000 years old – with cranial features distinctive of Australian Aborigines.

The oldest of the skeletal remains, dubbed Luzia, are of a young woman who died in her twenties and was ceremonially buried in a cave complex in Central Brazil. She was among a large collection of material first uncovered in 1975 by a Brazilian-French archaeological team, who disbanded in acrimony after the sudden death of its leader.

The remains were not examined until he late 1990s by a group led by Walter Neves of the University of Sao Paulo, who was surprised to discover that Luzia’s skull looked sharply different from the Mongoloid cranial morphology distinctive of people of East and North Asian origin and of Native Americans.

A reconstruction of her face by British forensic experts, based on her skull and its distinctive characteristics, shows Luzia had a cranial morphologyalmost identical to Australian Aborigines.

COSMOS Deputy Editor Jacqui Hayes, who travelled to Brazil to research the nine-page cover story, recalls seeing the evidence with her own eyes.

“When I was in the lab, I was amazed to walk around the reconstruction of Luzia’s skull, which clearly looked Aboriginal, and yet realise this was found a world away and was so very ancient,” she said. “Clearly, ancient humans did a lot more than we give the credit for.”

For more information, to read a copy of the story or images, contact Kylie or Becky on 0416 196 942 or 02 9310 8508.

A video of Luzia’s skull reconstruciton can be found at http://www.youtube.com/v/Xbkp2JP2_ck

Please credit COSMOS magazine as the source of your story

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First Americans may have been Australians_2005.doc

Geoscience Australia will be hosting a range of activities to celebrate Earth Science Week 2010, with the main event our annual Open Day on Sunday 17 October from 10am-4pm. Geoscience Australia’s Open Day offers a diverse program of activities, science displays, tours and talks showcasing our agency’s latest endeavours in the fields of petroleum, mineral, marine, mapping, groundwater and natural hazard research.

Children can navigate the grounds using GPS, take a walk through geological time, make their own rock, use slime to learn the science behind quicksand or bring along a rock from home and have it identified by one of our geologists.

See the winning films and highlights from the Geoscience Australia and Australian Science Teachers Association Geologi short film competition at the official awards ceremony at 2pm. Entries were received from 200 school students from across Australia for short films based on the theme Ever changing Earth.

There will also be a range of science presentations throughout the day, including: 10:30am: Australia’s energy future – from fossil fuels to renewables 11:00pm: Geothermal energy in Australia – the what, how, why, where and when 11:30pm: Hazard modelling to keep your feet dry 12:00pm: Winner’s Bore – hardwon outback water 12:30pm: How geology has shaped the Australian people

When: Sunday 17 October 2010, 10am-4pm Where: Cnr Jerrabomberra Avenue and Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston ACT Cost: Free Contact: (02) 6249 9111 or education@ga.gov.au

The winning entries from Geoscience Australia’s Top GeoShot photo competition, another Earth Science Week activity, will also be displayed in an exhibition in Geoscience Australia’s public foyer during Earth Science Week.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

EXCLUSIVE: Did Australian Aborigines reach America first?

Startling new archaeological finds are set to rewrite the record books, suggesting that the Americas were settled more than 11,000 years ago by the first Australians.

A detailed investigation in the October issue of COSMOS, Australia’s #1 science magazine, details the astonishing discovery of scores of ancient human remains in Brazil, Chile and Florida – some more than 11,000 years old – with cranial features distinctive of Australian Aborigines.

The oldest of the skeletal remains, dubbed Luzia, are of a young woman who died in her twenties and was ceremonially buried in a cave complex in Central Brazil. She was among a large collection of material first uncovered in 1975 by a Brazilian-French archaeological team, who disbanded in acrimony after the sudden death of its leader.

The remains were not examined until he late 1990s by a group led by Walter Neves of the University of Sao Paulo, who was surprised to discover that Luzia’s skull looked sharply different from the Mongoloid cranial morphology distinctive of people of East and North Asian origin and of Native Americans.

A reconstruction of her face by British forensic experts, based on her skull and its distinctive characteristics, shows Luzia had a cranial morphologyalmost identical to Australian Aborigines.

COSMOS Deputy Editor Jacqui Hayes, who travelled to Brazil to research the nine-page cover story, recalls seeing the evidence with her own eyes.

“When I was in the lab, I was amazed to walk around the reconstruction of Luzia’s skull, which clearly looked Aboriginal, and yet realise this was found a world away and was so very ancient,” she said. “Clearly, ancient humans did a lot more than we give the credit for.”

For more information, to read a copy of the story or images, contact Kylie or Becky on 0416 196 942 or 02 9310 8508.

A video of Luzia’s skull reconstruciton can be found at http://www.youtube.com/v/Xbkp2JP2_ck

Please credit COSMOS magazine as the source of your story

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

For ASC members in Adelaide- come along to the fourth instalment of the Thinking Critically About Sustainable Energy series.

Free but bookings essential https://www.riaus.org.au/events/2010/10/06/thinking_critically_about_sustainable_energy_a_nuclear_future.jsp

Thinking critically about sustainable energy: A Nuclear Future?

Wednesday 6th October 6.00 – 7.30pm The Science Exchange With an urgent need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and the global demand for energy rising exponentially, might nuclear energy be the only non-carbon-emitting technology capable of meeting the world’s requirements? The nuclear industry’s image has been compromised by the threat of nuclear proliferation, reactor malfunctions and the storage of radioactive waste. However, today’s proponents argue that improvements in reactor design have made them safer as well as more fuel-efficient and cost-competitive to build, compared with coal plants.

With renewable energy sources still unable to provide enough baseload power, is nuclear energy our best option for reducing carbon emissions? Will the next generation of reactors make nuclear the clean, green option? Join us as our expert panel discusses this hot topic and make up your own mind.

This event is the fourth of six public forums aimed at providing a comprehensive examination of sustainable energy technologies and a critical evaluation of their potential for reducing carbon emissions. In association with the Centre for Energy Technology, the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute and the Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources.

For interstate members, videos of the first three events are now available online. TCASE#3:Future Renewables https://www.riaus.org.au/events/2010/09/01/thinking_critically_about_sustainable_energy_future_renewables.jsp

TCASE#2:Established Renewables http://www.riaus.org.au/events/2010/08/11/thinking_critically_about_sustainable_energy_established_renewables.jsp

TCASE#1: Our Fossil Fuel Future http://www.riaus.org.au/events/2010/07/07/thinking_critically_about_sustainable_energy_fossil_fuel_future.jsp

Ri Australia PO Box 3652 RUNDLE MALL SA 5000 Ph: (08) 7120 8604 | Fax: (08) 8221 6563 | skern@riaus.org.au| www.riaus.org.au The Royal Institution of Australia Inc is a Charitable Institution and is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) ABN: 98638459658

Think B4U Print 1 ream of paper = 6% of a tree and 5.4kg CO2 in the atmosphere 3 sheets of A4 paper = 1 litre of water

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An article at The Guardian poking fun at science journalism: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/sep/24/

For example: “This is a sub-heading that gives the impression I am about to add useful context.

Here I will state that whatever was being researched was first discovered in some year, presenting a vague timeline in a token gesture toward establishing context for the reader.

To pad out this section I will include a variety of inane facts about the subject of the research that I gathered by Googling the topic and reading the Wikipedia article that appeared as the first link.

I will preface them with “it is believed” or “scientists think” to avoid giving the impression of passing any sort of personal judgement on even the most inane facts.

This fragment will be put on its own line for no obvious reason.”

Cheers Maia

– Dear ASCers

Cosmos Online – the daily news and features site of COSMOS magazine – is planning an overhaul, and we’d be interested in hearing from regular readers.

We’re currently running a multiple choice poll on the site, which asks the following:

*What would you like to see on Cosmos Online?*

– More daily news – More feature stories – More opinion pieces – Reviews: movies, books, theatre – Blogs – Science videos – A regular podcast Science events calendar

We’d be delighted to hear your thoughts. Go to http://is.gd/fruuB

If your what you’d like to see is not among the choices, you can add your own in the comments section at the bottom of the poll.

Thanks in advance everyone!

– Wilson da Silva Editor-in-Chief, COSMOS

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Imagery in Science Communication

Science communication isn’t just about the words. There’s also the use of visuals including photographs, diagrams, micrographs. These are becoming commonplace and there is an increasing demand to use them effectively.

Paul Ricketts is a Graphic Designer with DUIT Multimedia. He has worked with the ABC in Sydney and Perth and also with the Beyond International Limited. Paul also started the first computer graphics company producing broadcast quality graphics with desktop computers in Australia. Paul will be sharing his wealth of experience of using images in science communication.

www.duit.uwa.edu.au/about

Paul Ricketts will team with Jodie Ween to walk us through the process of producing a film from storyboarding to a walk through a working studio.

Where: Centre for Learning Technology

http://www.clt.uwa.edu.au/contact

When: Friday, 24 September 2010, 4:00PM – 5:00PM

Drinks and nibbles provided.

1 October: No seminar: Teaching Week Break

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Dear ASCers

If you’re in Sydney tonight, be sure not to miss the first Club Cosmos event, “What Have Animals Ever Done For Us?”

A science in the pub style event, it will be recorded for podcast and vodcast on the COSMOS and RiAus sites later this year. Not only will you have a lot of fun, you can win $260 worth of prizes!

*WHEN: *7pm to 9pm tonight (Sept 22) *WHERE: *Top floor, Harlequin Inn, 152-156 Harris Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009

*SUMMARY:* “What Have Animals Ever Done For Us?”

Do we really need animals? What’s all this biodiversity stuff anyway? To celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity, we’re getting together a microbiologist, an ecologist and an insect-loving entomologist to discuss – over a few beers and peanuts – why would should care about biodiversity at all. Chaired by Wilson da Silva, editor of COSMOS, it promises to be a night of fun, stimulating discussion, a few laughs, door prizes plus real science with a beer chaser. Panelists are: insect-plant relations specialist, Dieter Hochuli; entomology senior lecturer, Sarah Mansfield; and microbe champion, Brendan Burns.

*PRIZES*

– 1x 12-month subscription to COSMOS, worth $55 – 1x DVD of the film *Push* starring Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning ($35.95) – 2x COSMOS backpacks ($29.95 ea) – 2x books: *The Canon: The Beautiful Basics of Scienc*e by Natalie Angier ($27.95 ea) – 2x COSMOS T-shirts ($25 ea) – 1x COSMOS cap ($17) – 1x COSMOS mug ($14)

Register at http://clubcosmos.eventbrite.com/

Brought to you by COSMOS and the Royal Institution of Australia, in association with Science in the City. This event is made possible by a grant from the Council of Australasian Museum Directors with funding from the Science Connections Program of the Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

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Search for ‘Top Geoshot’ Earth Science Week photo competition

Earth science is all around us. It influences our lives on a daily basis and many of us barely notice it. Geoscience Australia is looking for a collection of ‘Top GeoShots’ to display throughout Earth Science Week. Who better to create those images than you? So get out there, explore and don’t forget your camera! Take a photograph that captures the essence of earth science in Australia.

Email your entry to education@ga.gov.au by 4 October 2010 along with a completed entry form available from Geoscience Australia’s website, and you could see your photo feature in Geoscience Australia’s public foyer in Canberra. Winners will also receive a professionally framed enlargement of their photo.

Geoscience Australia will be hosting a range of activities to celebrate Earth Science Week 2010, culminating with its annual Open Day in Canberra on Sunday 17 October from 10am-4pm

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> Dear ASC > > The Science Teachers¹ Association of Victoria has put out a call for > presenters for their VCE teachers¹ conferences ­ dates and details are below. > These are usually a good opportunity to engage with teachers and feed them > info that they will take to their students. > > For more information, contact Anne Heard at the STAV office (see below) ­ > don¹t reply to this email ­ I¹m just passing on the message. > > Regards > > Mick Moylan > Chemistry Outreach Fellow > School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne. > > > The 2011 VCE Conferences are running again see below for dates > > Physics – Friday 18 February at Monash Universtiy, Clayton > > Biology – Monday 21 February at La Trobe University, Bundoora > > Enviro Science – Monday 21 February at La Trobe Uni,Bundoora > > Chemistry – Friday 25 February at La Trobe Uni, Bundoora > > Psychology – details TBA > > *Note Biology and Environmental Science are on the same day. > > STAV values your contribution at our conference/s and we look forward to > hearing from you. > > Call for Sessions is open on our website > http://www.sciencevictoria.com.au/gateway/General_Papers.php > > *PLEASE NOTE: If you have more than one (1) co-presenter there will be a fee > of $70.00 per co-presenter. > > Anne Heard > Registration Officer > stav@stav.vic.edu.au > ph; 03 9385 3999

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