Some scientists just have the knack for being newsy. Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago already is among the world’s most accomplished celebrity paleontologists, known for digging up all manner of fierce and giant dinosaurs in Africa and elsewhere. Today he’s all over the news for some just plain good luck. One of his expeditions in Niger happened upon a scene, already dug up by strong Saharan winds, of much greater pathos than any dinosaur boneyard and of primary note to archeologists with much more recent interests. It includes among the most poignant human graveyard tableaus imaginable – a stone age mother and her two children, lying as though reaching for one another. Around them: dozens of other skeletons plus beads, stone tools, and bits of pottery. Plus, clear evidence from animal bones of the lush paradise this now desolate region once harbored.
The National Geographic Society gave the discovery its full-press treatment today. It’s in PLoS One, and is featured in Nat’l Geo Mag’s September issue.
Stories:
AP Randolph E. Schmid writes in his lede that the woman and children were “laid to rest on a bed of flowers 5000 years ago” ; Chicago Tribune Jeremy Manier reports this is the biggest Saharan burial ground ever discovered of such age – and that long occupation there left remains of two distinct cultures separated by a time of extreme drought ; NY Times John Noble Wilford notes that while the essentials of the discovery have been known for a few years, this is their first comprehensive summary ; Chicago Sun-Times Dave Newbart got the story out even before the press conference ; New Scientist Nora Schultz ;
Grist for the Mill: Full text of PLoS One paper ; Nat’l Geographic Press Release ;
-CP
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