UO E-clips, Aug. 27

Bone parts don't add up to conclusion of hobbit-like Palauan dwarfs -- Science Daily (Misinterpreted fragments of leg bones, teeth and brow ridges found in Palau appear to be an archaeologist's undoing, according to researchers at three institutions. They say that the so-called dwarfs of these Micronesian islands actually were modern, normal-sized hunters and gatherers. Scientists from the University of Oregon, North Carolina State University and the Australian National University have refuted the conclusion of Lee R. Berger and colleagues that Hobbit-like little people once lived there.)

Archeological headlines (Archeology.org): There are 345 registered historical monuments and archaeological sites, and several museums, within the areas of Georgia that have suffered heavy fighting and bombing by the Russians. "At the moment, there is no way to get to the key areas to assess the damage. It is not even safe for local residents. ... Claims by Lee R. Berger that bones from Palau are "Hobbit-like" dwarfs have been refuted by American and Australian scientists, who say that the bones represent normal, modern hunters and gatherers. "He did not take the time to understand the area in which he was working - its entire history, not just the skeletal stuff," anthropologist Greg C. Nelson of the University of Oregon said of Berger's "rush to publish."

Graves at hospital construction site a link to Springfield's first settler (KVAL News 13): Video appears at http://www.kval.com/news/27461509.html) (Archaeologists recovered the remains of four people from graves at the site of a new hospital built on part of the homestead of Lane County's third settler of European ancestry. The University of Oregon revealed the findings of the recovery effort at a press conference this afternoon. Backhoe operator Erica French spotted what appeared to be a human bone last May during construction of the new Sacred Heart RiverBend Hospital. (Video)

Family's history unearthed at Riverbend (Register-Guard): Steve and Gary Moore glanced down at the field of dirt with the rectangular holes, a former cemetery, an archaeological dig that has held secrets about their family's past for more than 150 years. A past they didn't know much about. Until now. ... That led to the discovery of the other grave sites and the remains of two children and an infant, said Tom Connolly, director of research at the University of Oregon's Museum of Natural and Cultural History, during a news conference Tuesday to announce what archaeologists recovered from the site.

19th century remains found at Ore. hospital site (Associated Press): Archeologists say the remains of 4 people and 12 graves from 19th century white settlers in the Willamette Valley have been uncovered at the site of a new hospital in Springfield. A backhoe operator in May spotted what appeared to be a human bone. Archeologists were called in. They held a press conference Tuesday to describe their findings. Tom Connolly of the University of Oregon says the remains are believed to be from the Stevens family, possibly the first white family in the town. He says the family buried a dozen members at the site by the mid-1880s, but in 1901, eight were relocated. He says it's possible that the four left behind had been marked with wooden crosses and the locations forgotten by 1901. (KMTR-TV ran the AP story but has its own video report)

Unearthed Gravesite Artifacts Revealed (KEZI-TV): Archaeologists from the University of Oregon shared the results of three months' worth of research on human bones found near the Riverbend Medical Center in May. Records indicate that the property was once a burial site for the family of William Stevens, one of the first pioneers to settle in Springifeld in 1847. In all, the body of an adult male, two children under the age of two, and an infant were unearthed at the site. (Video)

The greatest failure of thought in human history: To solve climate change, we must overcome "systems blindness" (Christian Science Monitor, guest viewpoint by the UO's Bob Doppelt): "Cap and trade" is the rage today as a primary solution to global warming. But the European Union's struggle with this approach indicates it has an uncertain future. This is because global warming, at its core, is not a technology or policy problem. It is the greatest failure of thought in human history. Attempts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions will fail unless people first alter their thinking and behavior. Earth is warming because humans, primarily in industrialized nations, suffer from systems blindness. We have failed to recognize the effects of our insatiable use of fossil fuels, massive resource consumption, and huge emission of waste, including greenhouse gasses, on the ecological and social systems we depend on for life. That blindness threatens all life forms today and in the future. Overcoming systems blindness requires a shift to what can be called "sustainable thinking." (Full column, note that the URL may be short-lived)

Television deal locks up UO sports (Register-Guard): Comcast SportsNet Northwest and OSN-IMG have reached an "unprecedented" agreement to televise University of Oregon sports, including football, basketball, baseball and track and field, the UO athletic department announced Tuesday. For Duck football fans who don't subscribe to cable, don't panic: Comcast SportsNet will simulcast the three UO football games it plans to show with Fox TV's KLSR, an over-the-air provider. Those games include Sept. 6 vs. Utah State, Sept. 20 vs. Boise State and Sept. 27 vs. Washington State.