The Last Word On Nothing

On August 12th, a story entitled “The Death of the Bering Strait Theory” opened thus: “Two new studies have now, finally, put an end to the long-held theory that the Americas were populated by ancient peoples who walked across the Bering Strait land-bridge from Asia approximately 15,000 years ago.”

The History Channel posted along the same lines: “A new study challenges the popular theory that the first Ice Age humans who migrated to North America arrived by a land bridge that once linked Siberia and Alaska over the Bering Strait.”

As more and more similar stories popped up, I felt a mounting sense of exasperation. I had to remind myself that it’s not my job to correct everyone who’s wrong on the Internet, especially when all the comments rolled in: “I’ve known this all along — it was such a ridiculous theory”, and so on. When I had seen the embargoed press release that generated these stories, I’d been mistaken, too. I read on because I was having trouble picturing a workable alternative to the Bering Strait route. But a thorough reading of the study left the “Bering Strait Theory” firmly intact. The new evidence in no way challenges it. Continue reading →

This week was summer-themed and — with one fresh exception from Judith Mernit — recycled, in the most exciting sense of the word. This allowed us all to actually experience summer, in order to have more stories to share with you, dear Reader.

In the summer of 2010, Heather spent eight-hour hiking days in the Sonoran Desert with archaeologists. 

Guest Judith Lewis Mernit drove into the Sierra Pelona Mountains at four in the morning to watch the Perseid meteor shower. It was more like a dribble, but it was a good excuse for much-needed fresh night air and companionship.

In 2011, Richard had adventures in the Chilean mountains at some of the world’s finest astronomy facilities. By switching hemispheres, he avoided summer altogether.

Niki Wilson wishes summer could last a little longer, for the sake of a homework reprieve for her hard-working fourth-grader.

The summer of 2012 was a nasty fire season in Colorado. Christie saw it first hand and thanked her stars for the quick-responding volunteer fire-fighters.

Image: Luc Viatour , c/o Wikimedia Commons

This week as summer hits its balmy peak, we look back at LWON posts from summers gone by. Five years ago, Richard spent his summer vacation in Chile’s winter, getting to know the astronomers and donkeys of the Chilean mountainside. It’s classic Richard, basically, and the delight is in the details. Here it is.