Tag Archives: islands

Archaeologists Develop First 3D Model of Easter Island’s Primary Moai Quarry

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Evidence from ethnohistory and recent archaeology indicates that Easter Island (Rapanui) had a politically decentralized structure, organized into small kin-based communities that operated with a degree of autonomy throughout the island. This raises significant questions regarding the over 1,000 monumental statues (moai). Was the production process at Rano Raraku, the main moai quarry, centrally managed, or did it reflect the decentralized patterns observed on the island? Archaeologists utilized a dataset of more than 11,000 UAV images to create the first comprehensive three-dimensional model of a quarry to examine these competing hypotheses.

3D model of Rano Raraku quarry. Image credit: Lipo et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336251.

The monumental Moai of Easter Island stand as one of the most remarkable archaeological achievements in Polynesia, with over 1,000 megalithic statues spread across the volcanic isle, which is just 100 miles long.2

This significant investment in monumental architecture seems paradoxical when compared to ethnohistorical records that consistently depict Rapa Nui society as composed of relatively small, rival kin-based groups rather than a centralized polity.

Early ethnographers described a sociopolitical environment with numerous matas (clans or tribes) maintaining distinct territorial boundaries, independent ceremonial centers, and autonomous leadership structures.

This leads to the question of whether the construction of the moai was similarly decentralized.

In a recent study, Professor Carl Lipo from Binghamton University and his team compiled over 11,000 images of Rano Raraku, a key moai quarry, and developed a detailed 3D model of the site, which includes hundreds of moai at various stages of completion.

“For archaeologists, quarries are like an archaeological Disneyland,” Professor Lipo stated.

“Everything you can imagine about the making of a moai is represented here, as most of the crafting was performed directly on site.”

“This has always been a goldmine of information and cultural significance, yet it remains greatly under-documented.”

“The rapid advancement in technology is astounding,” noted Dr. Thomas Pingel of Binghamton University.

“The quality of this model surpasses what was achievable just a few years ago, and the ability to share such a detailed model accessible from anyone’s desktop is exceptional.”

In-depth analysis of the model revealed 30 distinct quarrying centers, each exhibiting different carving techniques, indicating multiple independent working zones.

There is also evidence of the moai being transported in various directions from the quarry.

These observations imply that moai construction, like the broader societal structure of Rapa Nui, lacked central organization.

“We are observing individualized workshops that cater specifically to different clan groups, focusing on particular areas,” said Professor Lipo.

“From the construction site, you can visually identify that specific groups created a series of statues together, indicating separate workshops.”

This finding challenges the prevalent assumption that such large-scale monument production necessitates a hierarchical structure.

The similarities among the moai appear to be the result of shared cultural knowledge rather than collaborative efforts in carving the statues.

“Much of the so-called ‘Rapanui mystery’ arises from the scarcity of publicly available detailed evidence that would empower researchers to assess hypotheses and formulate explanations,” stated the researchers.

“We present the first high-resolution 3D model of the Rano Raraku Moai Quarry, the key site for nearly 1,000 statues, offering new perspectives on the organization and manufacturing processes behind these massive megalithic sculptures.”

Findings are detailed in an article published in the Online Journal on November 26, 2025 in PLoS ONE.

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CP Lipo et al. 2025. Production of megalithic statues (moai) at Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile). PLoS One 20 (11): e0336251; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336251

Source: www.sci.news

5,000 Years Ago: Ancient Humans Introduced Wolves to Isolated Baltic Sea Islands.

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The wolf, the wild ancestor of dogs, stands as the sole large carnivore domesticated by humans. Nonetheless, the exact nature of this domestication remains a topic of debate—whether it was a result of direct human control over wild wolves or a gradual adaptation of wolf populations to human environments. Recent archaeological findings in the Stra Fjärväl cave on the Swedish island of Stra Karsø, located in the Baltic Sea, have revealed the remains of two canids with genetic ties to gray wolves. This island, measuring just 2.5 km2, possesses no native land mammals, similar to its neighboring Gotland, and thus any mammalian presence must have been human-introduced.

Canadian Eskimo Dog by John James Audubon and John Bachman.

“The discovery of wolves on such a remote island was entirely unexpected,” remarked Dr. Linus Gardland Frink, a researcher from the University of Aberdeen.

“They not only had genetic links indistinguishable from other Eurasian wolves but also seemed to coexist and feed alongside humans in areas that were only reachable by boat.”

“This paints a complex picture of the historical dynamics between humans and wolves.”

Genomic analysis of the canid remains indicates they are wolves, not dogs.

However, their traits suggest a level of coexistence with humans.

Isotope analysis of their bones indicates a diet high in marine proteins, such as seals and fish, mirroring the diet of the humans on the island, suggesting they were likely fed.

Furthermore, these wolves were smaller than typical mainland counterparts, and one individual demonstrated signs of low genetic diversity—a common outcome due to isolation or controlled breeding.

This findings challenge long-standing notions regarding the power dynamics between wolves and humans and the domestication of dogs.

While it is unclear if these wolves were domesticated, confined, or managed, their presence in human-occupied areas suggests deliberate and ongoing interactions.

“The fact that it was a wolf and not a dog was a complete surprise,” stated Dr. Pontus Skoglund from the Francis Crick Institute.

“This provocative case suggests that under certain conditions, humans may have kept wolves in their habitats and found them valuable.”

“The genetic findings are intriguing,” noted Dr. Anders Bergström from the University of East Anglia.

“We discovered that the wolf with the most complete genome showed less genetic diversity than any ancient wolf previously analyzed.”

“This resembles what is observed in isolated or bottlenecked populations, or in domesticated species.”

“Although we cannot completely dismiss the idea that low genetic diversity may occur naturally, it implies humans were likely interacting with and managing wolves in ways not previously considered.”

One Bronze Age wolf specimen also presented advanced pathology in its limb bones, which would have restricted its mobility.

This suggests care or adaptation to an environment where large prey hunting was unnecessary for survival.

Professor Jan Stroh of Stockholm University stated: “The combined data offers new and unexpected perspectives on human-animal interactions during the Stone and Bronze Ages, especially regarding wolves and dogs.”

“These findings imply that prehistoric interactions between humans and wolves were more intricate than previously understood, involving complex relationships that extend beyond simple hunting or avoidance, hinting at new aspects of domestication unrelated to modern dogs.”

A study detailing this research was published on November 24th in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Linus Gardland-Frink et al. 2025. A gray wolf in the anthropogenic setting of a small prehistoric Scandinavian island. PNAS 122 (48): e2421759122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2421759122

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Sheldachthacks Settled the Chatham Islands 390,000 Years Ago

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A collaborative team of paleontologists from New Zealand and Australia has identified a new, extinct species of Shelduck from Holocene fossil bone deposits located in the Likov Chatham Islands.

The artistic reconstruction of rēkohu Shelduck (Tadnarekov) highlights the dark feathers typical of island-dwelling birds. Image credit: Sasha Votyakova/Te Papa.

The rēkohushelduck (Tadnarekov) is a newly described species that inhabited the Chatham Islands, a remote archipelago situated 785 km east of the New Zealand mainland.

“The archipelago comprises Chatham Island, Rangihautepit, Mangere, Tapua, and various smaller islands,” explained the researchers.

“These islands were completely submerged during the late Miocene and early Pliocene epochs.”

“Subsequent geological activities resulted in their re-emergence roughly three million years ago.”

According to the research team, the ancestors of the Rēkohu Shelduck reached the Chatham Islands around 390,000 years ago, during the late Pleistocene.

“While this may seem like a brief period, it’s long enough to influence species development,” Dr. Lawrence noted.

“At that time, the Rēkohu Shelduck exhibited shorter, more robust wings and longer leg bones, adaptations that impacted flight capability.”

“These evolutionary changes resulted from various factors, such as ample food availability, a lack of ground predators, and windy conditions, making flight less necessary.”

“If you don’t use them, you lose them; wings start to diminish,” remarked Dr. Pascare Lube from University of Otago.

“Flying is energy-efficient, so if it’s not essential, why expend the effort?”

“More robust leg bones support increased muscle mass and strength for takeoff, which is crucial when wings are small.”

The researchers utilized ancient DNA analysis and bone morphology to characterize the rēkohushelduck, a cousin of the Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) native to New Zealand.

Rēkohu Shelduck spent a majority of its time on the ground and became extinct prior to the 19th century.

“The discovery of rēkohushelduck bones in early Moriori Midden deposits indicates that hunting likely contributed to its extinction prior to European contact and the subsequent Māori settlements in the 19th century,” the scientists reported.

Their study was published in the July 2025 issue of The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology.

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Nicholas J. Lawrence et al. 2025. Ancient DNA and morphometrics reveal a new species of Shelduck, an extinct island inhabitant from the Rēkohu Chatham Islands. The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology 204 (3): ZLAF069; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf069

Source: www.sci.news

Rediscovery of a Tiny Elusive Gecko in the Galapagos Islands

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Leaf-toed Gecko from Rabida Island

Rory Stansbury/Island Conservation

A small gecko has been rediscovered on Rabida Island in the Galapagos, previously believed to have been eradicated by invasive rats.

The leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus maresi) measures just 8 centimeters in length, with a fossil record indicating its presence on Rabida over 5,000 years ago. However, live specimens were collected during expeditions in 2019 and 2021, confirming its survival as a species.

The gecko’s reappearance is linked to a successful restoration project led by the US-based nonprofit Island Conservation, which commenced in 2011. Collaborating with Galapagos National Park, the Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Raptor Center, the initiative also targets 10 other islands in the Galapagos, employing helicopters for large-scale distribution of poison bait to control invasive species.

By 2012, rats were officially deemed eradicated on Rabida, enabling a rapid ecological recovery, including the return of the gecko species. “We conducted thorough monitoring before the removal of invasive rats and found none,” stated Paula Castaño, an island conservation officer. “Initially, we had a small population, and without invasive predators, we finally had the chance to restore and expand that population, marking one of the most significant comebacks in history.”

Using DNA analysis, Castaño and her team discovered that the Rabida population is closely related to P. maresi from a neighboring island, yet it is classified as a distinct lineage known as evolutionarily significant units, emphasizing the critical need for conservation efforts.

The case of Rabida exemplifies the advantages of island restoration and invasive species removal, says Castaño. “We found a ‘extinct’ gecko alongside the last identified snail species from 1906. Furthermore, two additional snail species, once thought to be lost, were rediscovered on the island. “Nature is remarkable. It allows for rebirth and regeneration.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Tree-Dwelling Relatives of Tuatala: Inhabitants of the Solnhoven Islands 145 Million Years Ago.

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Solnhofen Archipelago refers to a collection of islands that thrived during the late Jurassic era in present-day Bavaria, Germany.

Life expressions of Sphenodraco scandentis in the ancient environment of the Solnhofen Archipelago. Image credit: Gabriel Ugueto.

The newly identified species Sphenodraco scandentis belongs to the earliest known clade of its sister group (lizards, snakes, and worm lizards), namely Rhynchocephalia.

Currently, this group is epitomized by a solitary extant species, the Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), although Rhynchocephalians were once as prevalent as modern lizards.

The fossil specimen of Sphenodraco scandentis is separated into two main slabs, as documented in literature, with previous assignments to Homoeosaurus maximiliani, along with a counterslab containing the majority of its skeletal remains.

These two segments were sold individually to museums in Frankfurt and London nearly a century ago.

“The breakthrough occurred while I was examining fossil reptiles at the Museum of Natural History in London,” remarked PhD candidate Victor Beccali from the Paleontology Museum in Munich.

“I observed a striking resemblance between the fossils in the museum’s collection and those I studied at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Frankfurt.”

“It was revealed that they were not merely similar; they were two halves of the same fossil, likely split in the 1930s for a greater profit.”

Holotype of Sphenodraco scandentis. Left: Main slab featuring bone fragments and skeletal traces. Right: Counterslab showcasing most remains of the skeleton. Image credit: Beccali et al. , doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073.

According to Beccari and colleagues, comparisons with modern lizards, including the Tuatara, indicate that Sphenodraco scandentis shared elongated limbs, toes, and compact bodies, suggesting these creatures may have inhabited the treetops of Jurassic forests.

“The deeper I delve into the historical study of these animals, the more I realize that species definitions are not always straightforward,” stated Beccali.

“Today’s islands host hundreds of reptilian species, so it’s plausible that ancient islands did too.”

“This research highlights the vital role that museum collections play in enhancing our understanding of ancient biodiversity.”

“Many of these fossils were unearthed nearly two centuries ago, yet they still hold significant insights to offer.”

“The Solnhofen region provides pristine, complete skeletons for many Rhynchocephalians, though their skulls may be crushed or some skeletons remain embedded in rock,” explained Dr. Mark Jones, curator of Fossil Reptiles and Amphibians at the Museum of Natural History in London.

“Until recently, this meant that Solnhofen’s specimens weren’t contributing to our understanding as much as they should have.”

“Utilizing micro-X-ray CT, and in this case, UV imaging, has helped clarify anatomical features.”

“This recent study underscores the necessity of investigating all available samples.”

The study was published on July 2, 2025, in The Linnean Society’s Journal of Zoology.

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Victor Beccali et al. 2025. The importance of the appendix skeleton for tumors in the tree-bark thoracic cube and scaly pidosaurs from the late Jurassic in Germany. The Linnean Society’s Journal of Zoology 204 (3): ZLAF073; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf073

Source: www.sci.news

Tsunami Advisory Issued for Alaska Following 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake off the Aleutian Islands

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Alaska’s coastal regions were on alert for a tsunami Wednesday following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the Ariuya Islands, according to officials.

The earthquake occurred at 12:38 PM local time (4:38 PM ET), with its epicenter located 55 miles south of Sandpoint, a community on Popf Island. The quake was recorded at a depth of 12 miles.

Tsunami data was not immediately available, and effects for Kodiak Island were not anticipated until 2:40 PM local time (6:40 PM ET).

Although no large-scale flooding is expected, the Tsunami Warning Center stated that dangerous currents and waves could pose risks to those in close proximity.

The initial tsunami warning has since been adjusted to a tsunami advisory.

These advisories span various coastlines, from Unimak Pass in the Aleutians to the entrance of Kennedy, located 40 miles south of Homer.

Emergency personnel in Kodiak, a city of around 5,500 that lies about 250 miles south of Anchorage, announced that shelters would be opened and sirens sounded prior to the warning being downgraded.

“The sirens are sounding, and remain vigilant if you’re near the coast,” Kodiak Island Emergency Management advised on social media.

Emergency officials reported no threat to Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, following the earthquake.

Debi Schmidt, the city manager of Sand Point, discussed the earthquake with NBC affiliate Ktuu, describing it as the strongest quake she had ever experienced.

“I was at home for lunch when the house began to shake; things were falling, and the cupboard door swung open,” she recounted to the station. “Fortunately, there was no damage.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Ancient Peoples Transported Wallabies to the Indonesian Islands by Canoe

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Thousands of years ago

Mehd Halaouate, birdingindonesia.com

Dating back either 12 or 800 years ago, wild wallabies were caught and transported by canoe to nearby islands located dozens of kilometers away.

The Sahuru natives—a group of marsupials from a prehistoric landmass that eventually broke into Australia and New Guinea—likely accompanied human explorers and traders to the islands in Southeast Asia, providing food, decorative fur, and tools made from bones. This animal import is recognized as one of the earliest known instances of animal translocation, with established colonies thriving over millennia, according to Dylan Gaffney at Oxford University.

“This aligns with a broader understanding of how early humans managed, transported, and raised animals more deliberately than previously assumed. They didn’t merely endure in these tropical environments; they actively transformed them,” says Gaffney.

Research pertaining to species translocation typically prioritizes European explorers, who notably introduced invasive rabbits to Australia in the 18th and 19th centuries and reintroduced horses to the Americas in the late 1400s and early 1500s.

However, in the 1990s, two types of marsupial bones were identified—Phalanger Orientalis Breviceps or Phalanger Breviceps, along with Bandicoot bones (Echymipera Kalubu)—from the Eastern Islands of New Guinea, and Brown Forest Wallabies (Dorcopsis Muelleri) found on an island west of Halmahera, roughly 350 km from Sahuru’s ancient shores.

Based on the age of nearby charcoal remains and the sediment layers, research teams estimate that the Wallabies arrived around 8,000 years ago, while other species date back to between 13,000 and 24,000 years ago.

The specifics of how these animals arrived on the islands remain unclear—whether by human transport or natural means. To explore this, Gaffney and his colleagues examined a new archaeological site in Indonesia’s Rajaanpat Islands.

There, thousands-of-years-old skeletons indicate that the colony of brown forest wallabies thrived on the island about 4,000 years ago, though the reasons behind this are still uncertain.

Radiocarbon dating in a cave inland revealed evidence of wallabies being hunted and cooked as far back as 13,000 years ago, further supported by findings from another island to the west that dates back 5,000 years.

The team also uncovered several bone tools utilized in hunting and textile work, suggesting human activity at least 8,500 years ago.

In investigating how these animals arrived on distant islands, the team employed computer modeling that accounted for the sea levels and environmental conditions of that era.

This modeling supports the theory that humans transported the animals via canoes, Gaffney explains. Without human assistance, Wallabies would have struggled to survive the treacherous oceanic journey that could have lasted over 24 hours, relying on vegetation rafts for days to reach the islands. While swimming to nearby islands is conceivable, it’s uncertain whether forest wallabies (modern or ancient) possessed the ability to swim.

In contrast, canoe trips would have taken only a few hours to a couple of days, a timeframe that likely would have been manageable for breeding animals.

These findings underscore a sophisticated understanding of species movement by humans well before the era of European colonial expansion. Tom Matthews, who was not involved in the research and is from the University of Birmingham, UK, states, “We frequently assume that these introductions began within the last 500 years, but the evidence indicates that humans were reshaping their ecosystems long before then.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Mighty Hidden Muscle Dinosaurs that Roamed Cretaceous European Islands

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New genus and species of Titanosaurus have been identified from fossilized sites found in the Hayeg Basin, Transylvania, western Romania.

The artist's impression of the lithotrothian dinosaur herd (right). Image credit: Abelov/CC by 3.0.

The newly identified species was alive Haeg IslandA large subtropical land located in the Thetis Sea about 70 million years ago (Cretaceous).

dubbing uriash kadicithe animals belong to Lithostrotiaa group of titanosaurus dinosaurs containing many armored species.

“The sauropod dinosaurs on Titanosaurus include the largest animal walking on land, with a huge species of over 60 tons,” says Paleoliths at the Museum of Fool Naturkunde, a Livenitz Installation Fool Evolution. said Dr. Veronica Dees Diaz, a scholar. colleague.

“By the late Cretaceous, Titanosaurus had achieved almost global distribution.

“Despite the rich and global fossil record, the evolutionary relationships of Titanosaurus are less known, limiting our understanding with this diverse megaharbibaud (the only group of sauropods is , the only group to survive the latest Cretaceous period).

“European giants in particular have been largely ignored in phylogenetic analysis,” they said.

“This neglect comes mainly from the historical advantages of the Gondwana species and the rarity and imperfection of Laurasian artefacts, particularly from Europe.”

“However, this began to change with the combination of reassessment of existing species and specimens and the discovery of new sites with distinct partial skeletons.”

“As a result, the fossil records of the most recent Cretaceous European sauropods are increasingly important for biogeographical scenarios, and rich evolutionary history is increasingly recognized for increasing incorporation into phylogenetic analysis. It is beginning to make clear.

Holotype of uriash kadici It was discovered in the formation of density in the Hayeg Basin, Romania.

Dinosaurs are estimated to weigh between 5 to 8 tons and their body length is close to 12 m.

“uriash kadici It is the largest titanosaurus species known from the Ha eg basin, exceeding the maximum reached by most other late Cretaceous European Titanosaurus. Abitosaurus (Estimated at 14 tons and 17.5 m long)”, the paleontologist said.

The existence of large giants such as ” uriash kadici It is worth noting and requires explanation as it appears to contradict, or at least weaken, the supposed behavior of “island domination” over these faunas. ”

uriash kadici It coexists with three other Titanosaurus species. Majarosaurus Dax, PaluditiTan nalatzensis and Petrustitan Hungarian.

The diversity was probably even higher, as evidenced by the substantial amounts of fossils involved.

“Our phylogenetic analysis shows that these Transylvanian titanosaurus exhibit particularly close relationships with Gondwana species. Majarosaurus Retrieved as a member or relative of the Saltasauria family. Palditian Affinity with lognkosauria and the Spanish Titanosaurus that were almost the same era Lohuecotitan; Petrustitan It is most closely related to early branched eutitanosaurian species in South America. and Uriash We share a unique feature with Gondwanan Titanosaurs,” they said.

“These analyses also reinforce the paleobiogeographic hypothesis that the latest Cretaceous European giants were members of the Gondwana lineage that invaded the old regions during the ages of Valemia and Albia.”

“Since the first discovery, Majarosaurus Dax The island's dwarfs have been identified as star sauropods, proposed as explanations for the small size of this species and other dinosaurs on Hayeg Island. ”

“on the other hand Palditian and Petrustitan It is also a small body sauropod. Uriash It is several orders of magnitude heavier and represents one of the largest Titanosaurus species found in the Late Cretaceous period of Europe. ”

“We have shown that the existence of this body size disparity is ecologically excluded from body size reduction due to competition with small-body titanosaurus, or as evidence that some lineages and small We interpret it as evidence that it occurred early in stratigraphically among the giants of the body. Hayeg Island has descendants of existing dwarf ancestors.”

“In contrast to some previous studies, signs of titanosaurus leaving the body size, including swapping the War star species for larger-sized species during the top Cretaceous period of the Transylvanian region. I can't see it.”

Discovery of uriash kadici Reported in a paper It was released this month Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.

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Veronica Dies Dias et al. 2025. The Romanian sauropod dinosaur revision reveals high titanosaurus diversity and body size disparities on Hayeg Island of Titanosaurus, affecting the biogeography of Titanosaurus. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 23(1): 2441516; doi: 10.1080/14772019.2024.2441516

Source: www.sci.news

The Solomon Islands unearths the world’s biggest coral reef

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Coral polyps, tiny organisms, cluster together to form colonies that create vast coral reefs.

The researchers describe the giant coral as primarily brown with pops of yellow, blue, and red on its undulating surface resembling ocean waves.

This massive coral structure is essential as it serves as a habitat, sanctuary, and breeding ground for various species, from shrimp and crabs to different kinds of fish, Timmers highlighted.

Despite its significance, this coral is facing challenges both locally and globally.

Timmers emphasized the detrimental impact of overfishing on the ecosystem’s health by removing organisms crucial for balance. She suggested ways to protect coral reefs like using sea cucumbers for sediment cleaning and giant clams for water filtration, underscoring the importance of every living organism.

The rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change poses another threat, potentially causing the coral to bleach and perish, Timmers warned.

National Geographic diver Iñigo San Felix uses survey lines around giant corals.
Manu Saint Felix/National Geographic

David M. Baker, a coral reef expert at the University of Hong Kong, lauded the discovery, calling it “remarkable.”

Baker, who was not part of the expedition, mentioned that corals are essentially immortal, surviving environmental changes due to favorable conditions and adaptability.

However, Baker cautioned that even remote reefs are vulnerable to climate change impacts.

He expressed hope in the presence of large, old corals, indicating opportunities to safeguard, preserve, and restore oceans while combatting climate change.

Divers swim over spectacular coral reefs.
Manu Saint Felix/National Geographic

The Solomon Islands boast the world’s second highest coral diversity, housing over 490 species of hard and soft corals.

Currently, the world is experiencing the Fourth global coral bleaching event. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has confirmed large-scale bleaching in at least 62 countries and territories from 2023 to early 2024.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Elon Musk spreads false information about English rioters being relocated to the Falkland Islands

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Elon Musk shared a fake Telegraph article claiming Keir Starmer is considering sending far-right rioters to “emergency detention camps” in the Falkland Islands.

Musk deleted the post about 30 minutes later. Screenshot taken by Politics.co.uk It is suggested that the video had nearly 2 million views before it was removed.

In it, Musk shared an image posted by Ashley Simon, co-leader of the far-right group Britain First, with the caption: “We will all be deported to the Falkland Islands.”

The fake article, purportedly written by a senior Telegraph news reporter and styled to resemble the paper, said that camps in the Falkland Islands would be used to hold prisoners from the ongoing riots because the UK prison system is already at capacity.

The Telegraph said on Thursday it had never published the story in question. A Telegraph Media Group spokesman said in a statement: “This is a fabricated headline for a story that doesn't exist. We have notified the relevant platforms and asked them to remove the story.”

In a post about X, the paper said: “We are aware that an image circulating purporting to be a Telegraph article about 'emergency detention centres' on X. The Telegraph has never published such an article.”

Musk has not apologized for sharing the fake report, but has continued to share material criticizing the UK government and law enforcement response to the riots.

The Guardian contacted Mr X for comment but received an automated response saying: “We're busy at the moment, please check back later.”

On Thursday, Musk said Share the Sky News interview Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions in England and Wales, said officers were searching social media for content that incited racial hatred. “This is something that is really happening,” Musk said. In another post about the same clip:Musk called Parkinson a “woke Stasi.”

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Musk has been embroiled in a spat with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and British police authorities after saying a “civil war is inevitable” in response to anti-immigration protests in England and Northern Ireland and claiming the police response had been “one-sided”.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said this week there was “no justification” for the comments. In response, Mr Musk has repeatedly attacked Mr Starmer on his platform, branding him a “second-rate keel”.

Musk, the billionaire co-founder of Tesla, SpaceX and the payments platform X.com that later became PayPal, bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. Last year, he renamed it X. The direction Twitter has taken under his leadership has sparked a series of controversies, including accusations that it has not taken harmful content seriously enough.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospitals NHS Trust said in a post on Thursday that after 13 years running X's account it was closing it because the platform “no longer aligns with the trust's values”. The trust directed followers to Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

This week, Musk announced he was suing a group of advertisers and major corporations for illegally agreeing not to advertise on X.

Source: www.theguardian.com

New archaeological findings suggest Tanimbar Islands were inhabited by humans 42,000 years ago

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The Tanimbar Islands are one of the main island groups of Wallacea (a group of mainly Indonesian islands separated from the Asian and Australian continental shelves by deep-sea straits) that was on the early human migration route from Sunda to Sahul (Australia and New Guinea). Despite their geographic importance, the group has not been thoroughly archaeologically explored. Now, archaeologists from the Australian National University have found the first evidence of Pleistocene human occupation in the Tanimbar Islands, dating back about 42,000 years ago.

Map of Walesia showing Birdsel's north and south migration route. The map also highlights the oldest Pleistocene sites on each island. On the north route, the following sites are highlighted: 1) Reang Karampuang, Reang Tedonggae, Reang Bulu Sipong 4, 2) Goa Topogaro, 3) Reang Saru, 4) Deo 2, 5) Goro, 6) Kero 6. On the south route, the following sites are highlighted: 7) Liang Bua, 8) Rua Meko, 9) Makupan, 10) Laili, 11) Ashitau Kuru, Rene Hara, Macha Kuru 2, 12) Hia Soloto Entapa, 13) Erivavan. The last two sites represent a connection to Sahul. 14) Reang Lemdub is now in the Aru Islands but was once connected to the mainland during the Pleistocene. 15) Majedbebe is the oldest known site in Sahul. Image credit: Kaharuddin others., doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108834.

The Tanimbar Islands are located at the easternmost tip of Southern Wallacea.

About 250 km east of Tanimbar lie the Aru Islands, which were part of the Sahul mainland during the Pleistocene low sea level period.

Although geographically close to the Sahul continental shelf, the Tanimbar Islands have remained permanently isolated by an ocean barrier since the first human settlement on Wallacea and even before that.

Compared to neighbouring islands closer to the Sahul Shelf, such as Halmahera, Seram and Gebe in the north, and Timor, Rote and Kisar in the south, the Tanimbar Islands have received relatively limited archaeological attention.

“This is particularly significant as it was found in Erivavan in the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia,” said Hendri Kaharuddin, a doctoral student at the Australian National University.

“Taninbar lies just offshore from the Sahul Shelf, which includes present-day Australia and New Guinea.”

“The question of how our early ancestors got there from Southeast Asia is one of the most intriguing of prehistoric migrations, mainly because of the long distances involved and the need for advanced navigation techniques.”

“There have been two main routes that have been explored as possibilities since the mid-20th century: a northern route through islands such as Sulawesi, and a southern route passing near Timor and the Tanimbar islands.”

“This discovery represents one of the oldest sites on the southern route and is an important piece of the puzzle.”

Although much remains unknown about Erivavan's first inhabitants, the perilous nature of the sea crossing suggests that the colonists had developed advanced maritime technology by about 42,000 years ago.

“They would have had to cross a body of water over a distance of more than 100 kilometres, regardless of the direction of their travel,” Kaharuddin said.

“Along with small fragments of pottery, evidence of bones, shells and sea urchins was also found, indicating that the island was a centre of early maritime activity.”

“As research continues in less-explored regions like the Tanimbar Islands, we hope to learn more about early human life and migration patterns.”

“It is also clear that the colonization of Sahul was not a single event, but a gradual process involving successive waves of seagoing populations.”

“Coastal communities likely navigated the coastline, exploited marine resources, and built resilient settlements along the way.”

“This island-hopping strategy fostered cultural exchange and adaptation, leading to the formation of diverse societies across the landmass.”

of Investigation result Published in a journal Quaternary Science Review.

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Hendri AF Kaharuddin others2024. Islands on the Brink: 42,000 Year Old Occupation of the Tanimbar Islands and Implications for the Sunda-Sahul Early Human Migration Theory. Quaternary Science Review 338: 108834; doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108834

Source: www.sci.news

A recently identified bird species found in the Lesser Sunda Islands

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A team of scientists from the Swedish Museum of Natural History has described a new species of nightjar that lives in the tropical forests of Timor Island and Wetar in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago.

Male Caprimargus ritae in Wetar, October 13, 2014. Image courtesy of James Eaton.

Nightjar It is a medium-sized, nocturnal, enterophagous bird belonging to the family. Caprimulgidae And the order Black-tailed Gulls.

These birds are found all over the world, except Antarctica and certain island groups such as the Seychelles.

Nightjars have long wings, short legs and a very short beak and usually catch flying insects at night. During the day they sleep on the ground or usually perched upright on a branch.

“Nightjars are one of the most difficult birds to study because of their discreet nocturnal behaviour and inconspicuous plumage,” said lead author Dr George Sangster and his colleagues.

In their study, the authors: Caprimargus maculus Complex.

This species complex is found from Pakistan to Australia and consists of six morphologically similar species with distinct calls.

“Field surveys on Timor Island and on Wetar Island in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago have revealed a seventh species in the complex, which we call a new species,” the researchers said.

“This species has Caprimargus maculus, Caprimargus selebensis and Caprimargus manilensis However, this species differs from these and all other species in this complex in at least 13 vocal traits.”

Named Caprimargus ritae Like the Timor nightjar or the Timor nightjar, this new species is not found in any other part of its range. Caprimargus maculus Complex.

This bird is a forest specialist and has been recorded in a wide range of tropical forests, from tall evergreen forests to dry deciduous forests, mainly at altitudes below 1,000 metres, with one record from 1,500 metres above sea level.

“Caprimargus ritae “This is the fourth bird species known to be endemic to both Timor and Wetar islands,” the scientists said.

“Other species include the Timorese giant pigeon (Ducula cineracea), Wetal ground pigeon (Pumps Sana Gallicorumba Howety) and Rainbow lorikeet (Saudareos Iris)

“Six species found on Timor and Wetar are only found on Atauro, Roti and Semau islands. Caprimargus ritae This is also true for several other bird species.”

“Wetar is closer to Timor (51km) than Alor (76km). The exclave of Atauro island is just 23km from Timor and 21km from Wetar.”

” Cyt b The Timor and Wetar sequence shows the colonization of Timor to Wetar, or vice versa probably quite recently.”

of study Published in the journal Ibis.

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Ben F. King others A new species of nightjar (Capri Margos) from Timor and Wetar, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and Wallacea. Ibis Published online June 24, 2024, doi: 10.1111/ibi.13340

Source: www.sci.news

Shetland Islands’ Saxavod Spaceport receives license for UK’s inaugural vertical rocket launch | Latest UK News

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A site on the northernmost tip of the Shetland Islands has become the UK’s first licensed spaceport for vertical rocket launches.

The Saxavod spaceport, located on the small island of Unst, has received a license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and will be able to conduct its first launch in 2024.

Regulators have verified that the privately owned spaceport meets safety and environmental requirements for vertical space launches.

Frank and Debbie Strong have owned a former RAF base on a remote peninsula in Unst since 2004.

Authorized for up to 30 launches per year, it caters to companies looking to launch satellites into polar or sun-synchronous orbits.

Just under £30 million has so far been spent on developing the spaceport, which includes three launch pads and a hangar for assembling rockets.

Two German companies, Rocket Factory Augsburg and High Impulse, hope to launch from Saxavoord in 2024.

The couple also have plans to build a hotel and visitor center in Saxavod.

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Frank Strang and his wife Debbie own the Saxavod Spaceport in Unst.Photo: Sakusa Vod

“A moment that defined an era”

Tim Johnson, director of space regulation at the CAA, said: “The granting of the license to Saxavoord is a defining moment for the UK space sector.”

“We could soon be rocketing satellites into orbit from Scotland, marking the start of a new chapter for British space.

“We are undertaking important work to ensure the UK’s space activities are safe and sustainable for everyone.”

image:
Photo: Sakusa Vod

image:
Photo: Sakusa Vod

Mr Strang said the award of the license was “historic” and said: “Our team is extremely proud to have been entrusted by the government to operate a complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-launch spaceport. We all take this responsibility very seriously.”

“There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a great way to end the year and head into Christmas.”

Cornwall Spaceport has become the UK’s first licensed spaceport, but the Saxavord approval allows aircraft to launch rockets vertically rather than horizontally.

Source: news.sky.com