A new genetic study suggests that humans interbred with an extinct species, perhaps either the Neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis. Genetic anthropologist Keith Hunley of the University of New Mexico examined the genetic diversity of 2,000 people living around the world. He thinks that the first occurrence of interbreeding may have taken place 60,000 years ago, shortly after modern humans left Africa. A second period of interbreeding may have occurred in the Pacific Islands. “The conclusion makes sense and fits with the majority of the data available,” commented Erik Trinkaus of Washington University in St. Louis.

A highway is reportedly being constructed adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mohenjodaro in Pakistan. “The National Highway Authority should have consulted the Ministry of Culture before they wanted to construct the road. Law protects Mohenjodaro as a heritage site. It is surprising how the NHA started the road project and did not even ask for clearance from the ministry,” said Culture Secretary Moin Bukhari. 

A piece of an Anglo-Saxon carved stone scheduled to be auctioned at Bonhams in London has been withdrawn from the sale. The carving was part of a monument dedicated England’s first female hermit.  

And, there’s more information on the Roman sculptures withdrawn from a Bonhams auction. 

Traces of a Roman kiln will be preserved beneath a children’s playground in western England.  

The Bureau of Land Management reports that more damage has been done to the petroglyphs in California’s Inscription Canyon this year. Bob Hilburn, Mojave River Valley Museum president and a volunteer with the Society for California Archaeologists’ Site Stewardship Program, encourages people to report any vandalism and theft that they witness to the BLM or law enforcement. “Don’t approach them [the perpetrators] because they will hurt you,” he cautioned. 

A pair of American Indian gloves dating to the 1930s was stolen from a display at Western Michigan University.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

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