Biblical Archaeology

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Looking for Field School, Archaeology and Anthropology Field Opportunities

I just started researching this area and I have found so many wonderful resources on the net for graduate students, kids, and undergrads.

I was surfing on the Archaeological Institute of America and I was trying to get a sense of the prices and arrangements that needed to be made.

Of course, since I'm not quite to this point yet, I wanted to share with others that may have the resources and credentials available to visit these dig sites.

Please check out the Field Work Page For an up to date listing of the lasted Field Opportunities.

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Five End of the World Scenarios

Several years ago I was sitting in my Geology class and my professor was telling a tale of the world’s end. The basic scenarios consisted of a large tidal wave swallowing Florida; the earth bursting into flames; and polarity reversal which would leave the earth open to solar flares. Well, none of these stories were making me feel any better, but the truth it, these stories do exist, and predictions for these events exist as well. Are they true? I believe the stories exist to give scientists a answer for certain environmental events that have occurred and need some sort of explanation.

One of the most famous individuals in history to predict these happenings was Nostradamus. Nostradamus was said to decode the Bible, introducing prophecies that have outlined major world events, including the end of the world. He would use trance and meditation to arrive at certain predictions hidden in the words of the Bible.

However, since historians believe that the Bible is 6000 years old, and NASA and Astrophysicists date the earth to billions of years old, I hardly believe that the predictions made by Nostradamus about the Bible could be completely true.

Knowing

thebadastronomer

The latest blockbuster natural disaster movie called “Knowing” is about solar flares that will penetrate the earth, destroying every life form in existence, except for the children that are transported to another planet by aliens that warned earthlings 50 years prior through a telepathic child named Ursala. Well, at least the solar flares are true.

Global Warming

Global warming is the same sort of scenario, yet humans are only 10% of the problem and what’s been done can not be changed. The glaciers, ice burgs, and caps will melt, and the depth of the ocean will rise causing flooding worldwide. In this event, will humans be able to survive an even warmer world?

Polarity Reversal

Every 200,000 years, the earth goes through a shift of polarity. If you pick up a compass at the time that this is happening, it will no longer point North. The idea behind this is, the magnetic shield around the earth is weakening when polarity reversal is taking place, leaving us open to the harsh solar winds and other strong atmospheric pressure and particles from space.

Mega Wave

Geologists have been studying models of previous eruptions and have come to an alarming discovery. If part of the mass structure of the volcano slides into the ocean, it will create a Mega-tsunami close to 900 m. high, moving 500 miles an hour, and measuring 1000 ft waves.

A Massive Meteor

This scenario is of no surprise considering it came from previous historical events of dinosaur extinction. People believe that it’s the will of the earth to start over, wiping out all species to create a new life form that will inherit the earth. It sounds bizarre I know, but if you follow the history of the earth, which is dated over 2 billion years old, you will see that catastrophic events have reshaped the planet overtime.

And so the theories of the end will remain unanswered, but one thing is certain. Life has evolved over time, and if it is the will of the earth to start over, there will be no way to stop it.

Earthday, Earth Day, Day of Earth

Earth Day was put into place to create awareness and appreciation for planet earth.

In September 1969, a conference took place in Seattle, Washington where U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced that in spring 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment.

Nelson viewed the stabilization of the nation's population as an important aspect of environmentalism and later said:

"The bigger the population gets, the more serious the problems become ... We have to address the population issue. The United Kingdom, with the U.S. supporting it, took the position in Cairo in 1994 that every country was responsible for stabilizing its own population. It can be done. But in this country, it's phony to say 'I'm for the environment but not for limiting immigration.'"Senator Nelson first proposed the nationwide environmental protest to thrust the environment onto the national agenda.” "It was a gamble," he recalls, "but it worked."

Let's take this day to celebrate our Mother Earth, and remember that we have been provided a wonderful place to grow, learn, and promote conservation.

Geology of Natural Springs

This as my first attempt at a mini movie and an assigned project for Geology. I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed making it. This video outlines the Geology of 10 Natural springs across the nation, as well as narration provided by yours truly.

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Due to new quality standards at Ancient Digger, several posts from years ago have been removed. Thanks for understanding.

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Due to new quality standards at Ancient Digger, several posts from years ago have been removed. Thanks for understanding.

Swim Through Florida's Aquifers

Just this afternoon, I was watching a movie about the aquifers in Florida's spring system. As I watched some of the most accomplished cave divers in the world navigate their way through the underwater tunnels, I noticed how truly amazing it must have been for the divers to experience a place that was completely inaccessible to the common man.

The divers made an 11 mile swim through the caves as the survey team was walking overhead, tracing their direction. What was really amusing is that the survey crew actually went into a Sonny's restaurant with their sonar machine, along with a residential home to track the divers across the city.

The discoveries that the divers made was quite alarming. Over 100ft below the surface, they were picking up nitrates in the water caused by human neglect and dumping into sink holes. They passed up oil bins, tires, antifreeze containers, and all the while the individuals that dumped this garbage into the groundwater had no idea what kind of effect this had on our water reserves.

I am becoming increasingly concerned with the Earth's abilities to bite back when we are neglecting what has been provided for us. So I ask you this, please make sure you are conserving water. So, when you are considering throwing that garbage out the window just remember, it might end up in your bottled spring water.

Happy Easter Ancient Diggers

Last night as I watching the Ten Commandments, I kept noticing all of the architecture and relics that were displayed. What was really upsetting, and I feel this every year, that for 400 years the slaves were put to work to build these stone temples and pyramids after stomping all day in the mud pits to make bricks out of straw, clay, and water.

I can't help but wonder, what was it that was left in Egypt that was actually built by the Egyptians? I think that when I can actually visit these sacred sites, it will help me understand my cultural heritage a bit more.

I grew up with a father that was Jewish and a mother that was Episcopal. Talk about an interesting match. I have experienced both religions for myself and I think that's why I always get a bit emotional when I see these individuals working their bodies to the bones to build up this golden city.

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Due to new quality standards at Ancient Digger, several posts from years ago have been removed. Thanks for understanding.

Ultra-Rare Shark Found, Eaten

National Geographic introduces us to a rare find that made its way into the tummy instead of an aquarium.

The odd specimen was brought in by fishermen and given to local project manager Elson Aca of WWF, an international conservation nonprofit.

Aca immediately identified it as a megamouth shark and encouraged the fishers not to eat it. But the draw of the delicacy was too great: The  1,102-pound (500-kilogram) shark was butchered for a shark-meat dish called kinuout.

While it is sad that this rare mega mouth shark was ultimately lost, the discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity found in the Donsol area and the relatively good health of the ecosystem.

Ultra-Rare Shark Found, Eaten

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Due to new quality standards at Ancient Digger, several posts from years ago have been removed. Thanks for understanding.

What is the Rosetta Stone?

During the French Occupation of Egypt, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) led an expedition along the Nile river toward the Mediterranean Sea. Many drawings, chants and stone monuments were discovered. Among these was a Stele (a stone or wooden slab erected for funerals or commemorative purposes).

The stone, made of black basalt, measures 14 feet by 10 feet and weighs 1700lbs. This particular stone found in 1779, has two different languages written on it.

Read More: What is the Rosetta Stone?

[Thanks DA Cornean @ Socyberty]

National Geographic Presents: April Fools' Day Facts: Behind the Laughs

The origins of April Fools' Day are shrouded in mystery.

The most popular theory is that France changed its calendar in the 1500s so that the New Year would begin in January to match the Roman calendar instead of the start of spring in late March or early April."

However word of the change traveled slowly, and many people in rural areas continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring. These country dwellers became known as "April fools."

Read More: April Fools' Day Facts: Behind the Laughs