john hawks weblog

paleoanthropology, genetics and evolution

Washington Post covers mold at Lascaux

Wed, 2008-07-02 22:56 -- John Hawks

Molly Moore of the Washington Post turns in a nice report on the problems facing Lascaux, about which I wrote earlier this year:

"Microbiologists and geologists say we have to observe and understand what's happening first, that we can't disturb the cave. They don't agree with the treatment," [Marie-Anne] Sire said. "Other groups say the risk is too big to watch and take no action."

According to the article, Lascaux II, the reproduction cave for tourists, is also facing trouble: the works are fading.

Neandertals

For years, I've worked on their bones. Now I'm working on their genes. Read more about the science studying these ancient people.

Denisova

From a finger bone of an ancient human came the record of a completely unexpected population. My lab is working on the science of the Denisova genome.

Acceleration

The advent of agriculture caused natural selection to speed up greatly in humans. We're uncovering some of the ways that populations have rapidly changed during the last 10,000 years.

Malapa

Just outside Johannesburg, the Malapa site is producing some of the most exciting finds in human evolution. This site is the headquarters of the Malapa Soft Tissue Project.