Neanderthal brains developed in a way similar to modern human brains, according to the analysis of the skulls of two Neanderthal toddlers, and an infant Neanderthal skeleton. “In many respects they are much more similar to modern humans than we thought. First it was tools, then eating meat, altruism, all kinds of features that seem to be deeply rooted to evolution,” said Christoph Zollikofer of the University of Zurich. 

Washington State’s B Reactor, which produced plutonium for the bomb dropped on Nagasaki during World War II, will be preserved as a National Historic Landmark. “This machine changed the world,” explained historian Michele Gerber. Demolition of the reactor had been considered.  

Retired linguistics professor Ekkehart Malotki uses his knowledge of Hopi language to study rock art in Arizona. His efforts to record and protect rock art are chronicled in The New York Times.  

Underwater archaeologists will share Venus (Virtual Exploration of Underwater Sites) with the public, allowing amateurs to operate their own virtual submersibles to explore European shipwrecks. A simulator will go on display at the Deep Aquarium in Hull, England, and will also be available online.  

An archaeologist will assist Saskatoon’s fire department water rescue team recover artifacts from the S.S. City of Medicine Hat, a luxury ship that sank after it crashed into a bridge in 1908. “This is an archaeological reconnaissance, not an excavation,” said archaeologist Butch Amundson.  

Narrabeen Man, whose bones were discovered beneath a bus stop in Australia three years ago, has been dated to 4,000 years old. Researchers say wounds to the bones show that Narrabeen Man had been executed. “Aboriginal society was very careful about the way they carried out punishment of crimes. It was violent, but socially prescribed, because this person had obviously done something wrong,” archaeologist Jo McDonald told the press.  

Here’s how things stand thus far in the case in Kauai where 30 sets of ancient human remains were discovered on a beachfront construction site. Judge Kathleen Watanabe’s decision on the case is expected by September 16.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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