Free Republic

Archaeology: Bones, isles and videotapeOld human remains found on the Pacific islands of Palau are caught in the crossfire between entertainment and science. Rex Dalton reports. The Palauan caves lie in the 'rock islands' of the archipelago.R. DALTONCircled by a protective coral reef, the 300-island archipelago of Palau is one of the Pacific Ocean's most biodiverse ecosystems. The first intrepid voyagers who arrived here, more than 3,000 years ago, would have found lush plants and waters teeming with fish and crustaceans. By 2,500 years ago the Palauans were even practising sophisticated agriculture, creating terraces on the archipelago's largest island on...

Dig reveals more of isles' bloody history JOHN ROSS NEW evidence of bloody clan battles at a medieval stronghold in the Western Isles has been unearthed by archaeologists. A team from Glasgow University has revealed a fortified settlement on Dun Eistean, a sea stack on the north-east coast of Lewis, thought to have been a refuge and spiritual home for the Clan Morrison 400 to 800 years ago. The discovery of musket balls, a lookout tower and a defensive wall around the perimeter of the island points to battles with the Morrisons' fierce rivals, including the Macaulays. Rachel Barrowman and...

Japan's PM sees disputed isles By Colin Joyce in Tokyo (Filed: 03/09/2004) Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, defied Russian objections yesterday to sail within viewing distance of the disputed Kuril islands, seized by the Red Army at the end of the Second World War. Japan has never renounced its claim to the tiny islands, which it calls the Northern Territories. The dispute over ownership has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from signing a post-war peace treaty. Mr Koizumi viewed the four islands through binoculars from a coastguard vessel in Japanese territorial waters. The visit was opposed by Russia which said: "Such...

SOCIALISM BURIED BY BERNARD SHAW High Priest of Fabianism Pronounces Eloquent Funeral Oration JESTS AS SOVIET Insists That Nothing Now Left But Communism or Capitalism