Posted on 12/17/2008 10:57:58 PM PST by CE2949BB
University of Minnesota anthropology professor Kieran McNulty (along with colleague Karen Baab of Stony Brook University in New York) has made an important contribution toward solving one of the greatest paleoanthropological mysteries in recent history -- that fossilized skeletons resembling a mythical "hobbit" creature represent an entirely new species in humanity's evolutionary chain.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
Much that once was is lost. For none now live who remember it.
It all started with the forging of the magic rings.
Three of them were given to the elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the dwarf-lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of men, who above all desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race.
But they were all of them deceived.
For another ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the deep fires of Mount Doom, the dark lord Sauron forged in secret a master ring to control all others. And into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to dominate all life. One ring to rule them all.
One by one, free lands in Middle Earth fell to the power of the ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor. On the slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle Earth.
Victory was near. But the power of the ring could not be undone.
It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father’s sword.
Sauron, the enemy of the free people of middle earth, was defeated.
The ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of men are easily corrupted, and the ring of power has a will of its own.
It betrayed Isildur to his death.
And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost.
History became legend; legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years the ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer.
The ring came to the creature Gollum who took it deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. And there it consumed him. The ring brought to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum’s cave, it waited.
Darkness crept back in the forest of the world. Rumour grew of a shadow in the east, whispers of a nameless fear.
And the ring of power perceived its time had now come.
It abandoned Gollum. But something happened then, that the ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable.
A hobbit. Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.
For the time would soon come when hobbits would shape the fortunes of all.
as long as they don’t find any fossilized orcs...
Hmmmmmm
OK gang, cue the Helen Thomas photo (again)!
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The digest will be done tomorrow. I was busy today, on the road for a couple of hours, haircut, party, shovelling snow (more like ice, thanks to Mister Snowplow), tanked up the car for just under $20, and did some shopping, in no particular order. |
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· Discover · Nat Geographic · Texas AM Anthro News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · The Archaeology Channel · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
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It’s a new species!
No it isn’t!
Yes it is!
Not neither!
Is too!
I’m getting tired of this.
Why don’t they just ask a real polymath scientist, like Al Gore, what the consensus is, and put an end to this fruitless debate?
He does sell species credits, doesn’t he?
"My evidence is becoming overwhelming, and My study helps confirm My view."
There, fixed it fer ya Mcnutty!
Just kidding.
In this NEW ERA OF HOPE AND CHANGE, all species are welcome!!!
More junk science.
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