Four Stone Hearth - Xlll

Welcome to this latest edition of Four Stone Hearth, and thanks to everyone who submitted a contribution, and especially to Alun at archaeoastronomy who very kindly took the trouble to collect a few nominations from various sites and submit them to me - in that context, I've left intact his comments on those posts. Also, thanks to those people who permitted me to grab various articles from their sites, for co-option to 4SH - all links appear in the chronological order by which they made their way to remotecentral. So, without further ado, here are those submissions in all their glory...

First up we have Greg Laden commenting on the recent suggestions regarding the proposal that humans lost their furriness comparatively recently, as the evolution of the body louse has been suggested has having occurred when humans first began wearing clothes, around 114,000 bp.

Language Log

The Female Brain is out in Britain
Mark Liberman discusses the UK release of the award-winning* book.
* The prestigious Goropius Becanus Prize is awarded to people or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to linguistic misinformation.

Hot Cup of Joe
The Archaeology of Exodus

It's recently been Passover, but is there archaeological evidence for the Exodus?

About Archaeology
The First European Colony in the New World

It's been on my 'to do' list, K.Kris Hirst on the quest for silver in New World and a terrible tale of deception.

Archaeolog
Graffiti Archaeology

Tim Webmoor on the stunning art project. But is it archaeology?

The Cranky Professor
Let's run our educational system like a business..."reviewed by senior managers"

Attention kids! Work hard our you won't pass your exams. But can you fail at Bournemouth?

Philobiblon
Why do we need feminist archaeology?

One archaeology lecturer used to say it's because "data are theory-laden." To emphasise his point he'd place his arms face-up and cup them slightly. Always the words 'theory-laden' fell from his lips, his hands would bounce slightly in front of his chest as if catching the words was difficult as he was struggling with the weight of the concept. A very unfortunate mime for feminist archaeology.

Archaeoastronomy.com
Stock Photography: The Alternatives

This from Alun Salt, looking at ways in which image banks on the Web can be found and utilised.

Anthropology.net
The State Of The Education Of Evolution In US Schools

A map has been produced which depicts where, and how well, evolution in American schools is being taught. Well worth clicking through to the original post.

A Very Remote Period Indeed
Upcoming Conference On Lithic Technology

Brief post which discusses the above-mentioned conference, which will be taking place in Italy, and hopefully there will be some published material once proceedings have drawn to a close. Good to see Julien back in circulation as it were, so be sure to check back for future news and musings.

Hominin Dental Anthropology
AAPA Meeting Day 5

More conference related news, this time from Jason Fox who reports from the Association of American Physical Anthropologists annual meeting, and specifically looking at the proposed 'Out of Africa Many Times' model, which makes a lot more sense than the recent single exodus theory which has been doing the rounds these past two decades or more.

Salto Sobrius
Kaga Gold Foil Figure Model

Although Martin has taken up residence at aardvarchaeology, this week he's in the field, and has posted news to his original site, of an exciting and very rare find made by one of his crew.

Primatology.org
The Return of the Spear Using Chimps

Thanks to Kambiz who also submitted this, which in turn was taken from Afarensis who broke the story. It seems those chimps from Senegal have been observed taking shelter in caves when the weather turns nasty, behaviour apparently not noted before - but is it for real.

Everything Is Pointless
Frankl's Search for Meaning

Quick post from Louie Savva, whose blog is consistently updated with good, thoughtful posts; today he ponders the subject of love,

Nomadic Thoughts
North Carolina Moves Forward

A quick look from Will Klinger at proposals by various State legislators to issue statments of regret and apology for their past involvement in the practice of slavery.

Northstate Science
My Alma Mater Strikes Against Intelligent Design

Christopher O'Brien highlights a lecture given by Professor Ken Miller at UC Davis, titled "God, Darwin and Design", in which he apparently gave "Intelligent Design" a well deserved drubbing, and which was by all accounts something of a classic.