[blam]

"It's harder to say what life would have been like 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, when the earliest evidence of human occupation was deposited near Alkali Creek. A severe, extended drought that stretched from 8,200 years ago to 5,500 years ago, called the Altithermal, had probably culled the human and animal population in the American West. But it's possible that the deep springs that feed Alkali Creek could have been flowing when others failed, providing a water source for game and a few hardy people who continued to hunt on the Northern Plains."

When I was in the LA area for Christmas, I went to the La Brea Tar Pits. They were nice and had lots of skeletons but, I think I must have already known too much about them to get too excited. I did learn that the Sabre Toothed Tiger continuously replaced the large teeth that are so visible.

This, La Brea Woman , was a suprise too. I didn't know about her.

[norton]

The tar pits are exciting simply because they exist.
Having been there forever makes them the best source of complete and near complete skeletons, in very good condition, in existence.

Remember that they've been studied now for nearly a century and the presentation can be updated but remains an early 20th century construct.

if you visited the Museum of Natural History the same applies - I like to visit it just for the 'old timey' atmosphere.

As to la Brea Woman - I'm hard pressed to imagine Chumash Indians being here as early as they've indicated.

There is another museum way out in Lancaster that was originally a retreat for a '30s college professor and the displays there are his making. They are basically a cross between fantasy and academic Victorianism....cute if you feel like a 100 mile drive into the desert.

(You can watch some nifty flying stuff out of Edwards while trying to figure out the insane street layout)

[SunkenCiv]

FR — where everything comes together...

Why the skeleton found in the La Brea Tar Pits feels so familiar [ La Brea Woman ]
L.A. Times | August 20, 2006 | Amy Wilentz
Posted on 08/27/2007 2:31:04 PM EDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1887289/posts

Sabre-Toothed Tiger Was A Pussycat
The Telegraph (UK) | 10-2-2007 | Roger Highfield
Posted on 10/01/2007 9:57:03 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1905166/posts

Ancient footprints found on Welsh beach
IC Wales | Februrary 2, 2007 | Sally Williams, Western Mail
Posted on 02/12/2007 9:51:27 AM EST by aculeus
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1783353/posts